A few weeks ago when Joshua started school, I was very nervous about how he’d like it and about how Sophie and I would be without him. The good news is, he LOVES school, he’s doing great, and Sophie and I are having great days together one-on-one.
The bad news is, although Joshua is apparently very good at school, he grows horns and a tail at 3:15 every day when he walks through the door. From about 3:15 to 5:00 pm every day, he is cranky, tired, fussy, and sometimes disrespectful. He has also discovered a new Olympic sport which practices hard at every afternoon called “Aggravating his sister”.
The other day after school, I don’t remember why exactly, he pointed his finger at me and mouthed off when I asked him to do something.
“Do you talk to your teacher like that?” I asked.
He made a HORRIFIED face. “NO!” he gasped, as if it was the worst thing I had ever suggested.
“Then you don’t talk to me like that. You respect me and behave for me just like you do your teacher!”
Needless to say, I am punishing him appropriately. Seriously, I don’t take that crap.
BUT. On one level or another, it continues. And Emily says since Kate has gone to kindergarten, she has become much more needy and emotional.
So tell me, when do these kindergarteners get over this? Please say it’s soon! I miss my sweet baby boy!
My kids (8, 6 & 4) have gone through the same thing. I once read that as much as you hate their behavior, it’s actually a compliment (weird, I know). They save all their frustration, etc. until they get home, and because they know you will always love them, they are giving you the full blunt of their misery/frustrations/etc. Of course, this is a compliment I would prefer not to have and discourage intensely!
I’m sorry, my son is in the third grade and he still goes through this – though not every day. There are good days. Diversion techniques really help.
Maybe a few minutes of down time in his room after school. Sounds almost like he needs a nap! 8)
I love how you don’t take crap, Cousin.
My 19yo that graduated LAST YEAR still acts like a 5yo! My Kindergartener is still her same old self…but she only goes 1/2 days.
I would just like to get through an evening of homework without complaints and/or tears from the kiddos.
What time does Joshua go to school? 8AM, perhaps? That’s a really long day for a five or six year old child.
I know it’s not PC, but I really think a half day for kindergarten is just fine. Kids that age need a lot of downtime in a non-institutional setting.
My $.02!
KarenM in NC
Every day, my baby brother would get off the bus and walk straight into his room with barely a “Hi, I’m home!” We would wait however long he needed to be in his room. When he was ready – after 5 min or 1/2 an hour – he would come out and be ready to be around people or tell about his day. Some kids need decompression time, especially the introverted ones. They recharge their batteries by being alone, especially after a day full of noise and other kids. (Hard for those of who came home talking about our day from the second we hit the door to understand, but could be possible that he needs some alone time. Possibly forced alone time called “time out.”)
I’m a Kindergarten teacher , and almost every parent tells some variation of your story at Open House and the first conference. Kindergarten is such an adjustment for the kids! Even if they’ve been in daycare for a full day, this is the first year they’ve had such expectations on them. Going to school is hard work! It will pass. Plus, you’re going to be amazed at how he will grow and blossom in Kindergarten. It’s such an awesome year.
HANG IN THERE jEN. We still have days like this even with our oldest. Kids get tired…physically and emotionally just like us. When he is misbehaving remember how you feel after dealing with “stuff” all day. It will even out and you will find a way to work through it without the drama…
Mine just started preschool and this is happening! He goes half days every day, so it is a big change. We eat lunch and take a nap every day when he gets home, but he still seems to wake up cranky… this is one of those situations where I wish I could hook him up to a diagnostics test and know instantly what was wrong!
You’re not experiencing anything abnormal, either you or Em. They honestly do need some down time/decompression after school. It’s a loooong day of rules and CONSTANT socialization.
One more thing – and I’ve lived this – kids will sometimes act out and be grumpy, mouthy, etc, at home (but not at school) because they need that release after following the rules all.darn.day. They push back at YOU because (1) you love them and they KNOW you love them like crazy and they feel safe with you (emotionally) and because (2) they’re testing boundaries after coloring inside the lines all day, so to speak.
Hang in there, stand strong, step right up to that line in the sand they’re trying to inch across, and say, “No.” And remember that a hug is sometimes the best darn cure for the grumpies.
😉