My little boy starts first grade tomorrow.
All summer he has been telling us he didn't want to go back to school (kindergarten last year). But we just chalked it up to having more fun at home for the summer.
Tonight, as bed-time approached, he suddenly "got sick" and went into the bathroom and threw up. He was very upset, and immediately told us that he couldn't go to school in the morning. After a little talking, it was obvious that the sick was really a plan to avoid school. But he's six! He shouldn't have this kind of fear. I sat him down and we talked and I finally got him to tell me that he did not want to see his teacher again. He is afraid of her - the kindergarten teacher!! This horrid woman has tainted my child's view of school before he made it into the first grade. I had suspicions about her all last year, but never realized how much she terrified him. There are stories I won't relate here, but put together with tonight, it's very clear that all her kids were afraid of her. I assured him over and over that he would get a new teacher, and that she would be nice and everything would be different.
I'm in a bad way tonight. My wife is going to take him to school in the morning so I won't make a scene on the first day when the principal is too busy to really care. But I don't think I can let this go. I remember what a big deal first grade was to me and how my two older children did so well from the beginning. I want this woman out. She doesn't need to be doing this to children anymore.
As to the picture - This lunch-box was a surprise we were saving for the morning. He's a major Spiderman fan, and he's been asking for a special lunch-box. We decided to give it to him tonight to help ease the pain a little.
He's OK now and in bed. I think he'll be fine once he meets the new teacher. I'll go in later this week and meet her myself. Then I'll go have a talk with the principal.
oh, man. That is so rough. Especially in KINDERGARTEN they should make some effort to make sure that the teacher is just amazingly good with kids, you'd think.
Glad to have read in a later entry that things went fine. Give him a hug from me. Poor boy.
Total bummer. I hope things are going well for your son. Fortunately, children are easily distracted. I'm not saying that he will forget his bad experience, but if he has a really good experience to put between him and that rotten teacher, he will probably go forward with no problems. At least I hope that's what happens. Good luck and you're a good dad.
Man, I hate to hear that. My little sister had a horrible Kindergarten teacher and it is so unfair. Your best memories of school should be of that year. I hope his first grade teacher is a saint or something and he starts to love school again!
I'm glad I opened the thumb and read your story. I'm so sorry for the little guy. I do hope that his first day at school dispels his fears and that he becomes enthusiastic about going.
It's horrible how we (adults) can affect children negatively. Let us know how it goes for him - and you!
How sad... but at least you got down to the bottom of things. And now, he'll know that if there's a problem, to tell you right away. But I guess when all the kids are feeling the same way, and there is nothing to compare things to, they don't know any different. Poor kiddo. Hope he had a great first day this time around. Hang in there.
Your poor child! You are doing the right thing and I am sure his experience will be better in the first grade. Please take a moment to let us know how the first day went. I feel so bad for children who have a horrible school experience at the beginning.
You're doing the right thing by your son. We actually changed schools to avoid a meanie teacher who would yell loudly at children, and it was tolerated to do so. That and the tuition of a private school... Good luck Walter.
Aww, poor guy - we had the same type of experience with my son's kindergarten teacher - why people who don't like children become teachers is beyond me, but, to say the least, she was one of them. It's disgusting when children this young are afraid of school. Thankfully my son's grade 1 teacher was a sweetheart and he was just fine after the first day. Hopefully everything works out for your son as well :)
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