Dropping Bug (my daughter) off at preschool has become a chore! Last year, she happily skipped into her classroom. Bug loved school and was always eager to start her day. Now, I have to do the drop off and dash! Ugh….I know it is only week 2 of school, but I am beyond frustrated and weary from drop off!

I was fortunate that Bug never had separation anxiety as a baby (I am lying…never!). She has always been content around strangers and just rolled with it. Can we say pay back?!?!?! Now each morning, she walks into her classroom with her arms crossed and a look of frustration on her face. When I go to leave, Bug clings to my leg and pleads for me not to go. I think it takes me 10 hugs and 10 kisses to get out of the classroom. I don’t understand why we’ve had this sudden switch. My usually content child is no more!! The one thing that I am thankful for is she doesn’t cry uncontrollably.

I talked to Bug’s teacher and she told me that she is fine once I leave the classroom. That is great; I just have to figure out how to get out of the classroom without so much drama.

This morning, I talked to Bug before we walked in. I felt like I was giving a sports team a pep talk! I told Bug that she was going to have a fantastic day and a ton of fun. I also emphasized that she didn’t need to cling to my leg and that mommy would be happy to give her a hug and a kiss before I left. The pep talk must have helped because it only took 2 hugs and 2 kisses to get out of Bug’s classroom! I know Bug will eventually settle in, but it is just hard to see her struggle each morning. I guess I am going to have to continue the morning pep talks and prayers!!

I know I am not alone in my drop off struggle! You want to know why I am not alone?!?! I walked down the hallway today and heard a lot of tears! School is a huge adjustment for any child, especially any child going for the first time. We just have to stick with it!

Here are some tips I found to ease school separation anxiety.
- Make sure your child is getting sufficient sleep. A tired child is a cranky child (this is so true in my house)
-Give them a pep talk about their day. Get them excited!
-Find an activity to distract them in the classroom. By getting your child busy, you can slip out
-Stay positive
-Don’t compare your child to other children in the classroom (for example…look so and so isn’t crying).
-Open communication with the teacher
-A consistent routine

Is anyone else struggling with drop-off?!?! What are some of your suggestions? I am hoping we see a major improvement for week 3 of school.