https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 16 Apr 2026 15:45:06 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dealing-with-a-child-that-doesnt-want-to-go-to-school#post-2926338 Thu, 10 Feb 2022 14:09:31 +0000 josina 2926338@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Coming back to update with what has worked in case others deal with the same issue...</p> <p>Time helped of course, but we also talk about how she's going to get on the bus by herself in the morning, and she gets to pick how many hugs she wants before she goes. Most days 5, some 10. But she's been doing awesome since we started this! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dealing-with-a-child-that-doesnt-want-to-go-to-school#post-2926043 Mon, 10 Jan 2022 09:44:38 +0000 josina 2926043@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ChitownRo: Oh man, that sounds awful. Hugs!</p> <p>DD thankfully has been better each day. We had a 2 hour late start Friday and she got on the bus by herself! Today I had to take her on myself again, but thankfully no tears. I'll take the gradual improvement each day vs. the kicking/crying/pretending to be sick!</p> <p>Hope you see some day-by-day improvement also!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dealing-with-a-child-that-doesnt-want-to-go-to-school#post-2926029 Sat, 08 Jan 2022 22:36:27 +0000 ChitownRo 2926029@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I can relate. My 3 yo DS has only been to school 3 days in the last 7 weeks. I started working part time again, and he immediately began to refuse school. And then it was thanksgiving + quarantine bc of travel, then only two weeks (he went 2 days with so so so much effort), then 2 weeks winter break.<br /> It’s less than 3 hours long and he will cry for the 2 hours between wake up and drop off. He cries so hard he vomits. Kicks to make it difficult to get dressed, bucks getting in the car seat.<br /> Sooo… yah… I’m talking w a social worker on Tuesday. I know it’s a loving environment with caring teachers (his older siblings went there too).<br /> It’s way easier to just give up and have him stay home with our au pair and my DH who works from home… but I know in the long term he needs to play w other kids his age :/ </p> <p>Anyway, I’m sorry, I can commiserate but have zero advice. I wish I did! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dealing-with-a-child-that-doesnt-want-to-go-to-school#post-2926003 Thu, 06 Jan 2022 15:01:14 +0000 josina 2926003@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@erinbaderin: Aww, thats so sad that is was most mornings! DD was actually fine even when school started, she'd race her brother onto the bus, but since she had all that time at home with me it's been awful.</p> <p>I do keep in touch with her teacher too, she says she starts out the day sad but shakes it off pretty quickly which is good. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dealing-with-a-child-that-doesnt-want-to-go-to-school#post-2926002 Thu, 06 Jan 2022 14:59:17 +0000 erinbaderin 2926002@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't have advice, but my son cried basically every morning for junior kindergarten last year - we walked him to school and dropoff ranged from whimpered "I don't want to go" and reluctant walking inside the gate where he held the teacher's hand to full sobbing and me having to peel him off and push him inside the gate. This year, though, has been fine!</p> <p>I used to make myself feel better on the worst mornings by texting his teachers, and he was always fine once he got in and settled and always fine at pick-up, he just didn't like actually leaving me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dealing-with-a-child-that-doesnt-want-to-go-to-school#post-2926000 Thu, 06 Jan 2022 14:51:39 +0000 josina 2926000@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@agold: Can't drive her because it's a half hour the opposite way of my work, but I think the bus is fine, and she rides with her brother and cousin. If only her brother and cousin were in preschool with her she'd be fine lol.</p> <p>Hopefully it's short lived once she gets used to going again. I'd say separation anxiety is very real with her right now too, we have yet to get xrays at the dentist because she won't let me leave her side! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dealing-with-a-child-that-doesnt-want-to-go-to-school#post-2925994 Thu, 06 Jan 2022 12:46:43 +0000 agold 2925994@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@josina: I don't really have any tips. I'm so sorry. Is there any way you can drive her to school for a week or so. Maybe the bus is scary to her. My 3 yo has extreme separation anxiety. She started refusing to go to sunday school at church and I just caved because no one there really wants to deal with a crying kid. But for preschool, I do just drop her off and leave quick. The lingering good byes are the worst and my teacher says that my girl would stop crying very quickly. And she is always happy at pick up time. The crying didn't last forever - just a week or so. She is still very very shy. So I do feel you and I'm sorry I don't have any more tips to offer. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dealing-with-a-child-that-doesnt-want-to-go-to-school#post-2925991 Thu, 06 Jan 2022 11:59:44 +0000 josina 2925991@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bhbee: I love the idea of the hug button so definitely going to try that tomorrow! She always wants 'one more hug' so hopefully that helps.</p> <p>She says she just doesn't like school. I know she has friends there but she can be pretty shy and keep to herself (she's also in speech class so a little delayed in that). She says specifically she hates math lol. </p> <p>This morning was a little better, lots of tears but she didn't fight me getting ready. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dealing-with-a-child-that-doesnt-want-to-go-to-school#post-2925987 Thu, 06 Jan 2022 10:13:57 +0000 bhbee 2925987@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Is it just about separation or is something else going on at school?</p> <p>The hug button idea (we used a sticker) really helped my oldest in Kinder. Also we let her keep her lovey zipped up in a special pocket of her backpack. She cried every day of preschool though so I feel your pain!</p> <p><a href="https://www.scarymommy.com/hug-button-mom-idea-viral/" rel="nofollow">https://www.scarymommy.com/hug-button-mom-idea-viral/</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dealing-with-a-child-that-doesnt-want-to-go-to-school#post-2925973 Wed, 05 Jan 2022 16:35:10 +0000 josina 2925973@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Help! I have a 4 year old DD who cries every morning and pretends to be sick because she doesn't want to go to school.</p> <p>She's in preschool, and because of extended Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks + Covid right after Tday, she only went to school 6 days in the last month and a half. </p> <p>I'm hoping once she gets back into a routine it will be better, but any tips to help speed this process? I have to put her on the bus crying in the morning. :sad: </p>