| This morning, for the second day in a row, our 3 year | | | | or to induce a tantrum, either. |
| old daughter went "on strike" and refused to go to | | | | There are, however, some communication techniques |
| preschool. As a counselor who works with truants, and | | | | you can use to massage the emotions of the moment |
| school-refusal syndrome, my antenae perk up when | | | | so that your toddler is more cooperative. |
| someone at home says they're not going to school. | | | | "Are you ready for school?" almost always gets a |
| Fortunately, my wife and I had previously been | | | | "NO!" at our house. Perhaps the better way to phrase |
| "trained" by our first child, so we knew that "school | | | | this is without a question at all: "We're leaving for |
| blues" sometimes happen. Usually on Mondays after a | | | | preschool after you brush your teeth. Please be |
| fun weekend with family and friends. | | | | ready." Simple, sequenced, and clear. |
| Don't panic! The first day your toddler says, "I'm not | | | | Another thing that will help your mornings immensely is |
| going to preschool!" you may tense up. But is it any | | | | to have enough spare time yourself to allow for these |
| different than when your child says, "I don't want to go | | | | exchanges. When you are already late, tempers are |
| home!" from the park? In our case, it was hard to get | | | | short, tantrums ensue. |
| the kids out the door to school, and then in the | | | | Make sure, too, that there are no larger issues going |
| afternoon, it was hard to get them to leave. | | | | on at the preschool. If you suspect bullying or any |
| Your child may (especially around the ages of 2, 3 and | | | | other reason why your child wouldn't be comfortable in |
| 4) just be flexing their "will" muscles. Sure, they're | | | | preschool, talk to the headmaster without delay. |
| testing you. "What will mom and dad do if I...?" This is all | | | | Showing your support for your child's feelings will build |
| part of growing up, and testing of boundaries and limits | | | | immeasurable trust between you. |
| that will continue well into the teenage years (wait till | | | | Finally, and if you're lucky, you may just decide to take |
| that gets started!) | | | | the day off with your child. While it isn't possible every |
| You need to make sure that your expectations are | | | | time, the day you spend with your toddler today may |
| clear and that guidelines are set. There is really no | | | | well be more important than anything they did at |
| need to reason with your baby at this point (it barely | | | | preschool that day, or anything you might have done |
| registers at this point). There is no need to get angry | | | | at the office. |