From toddler to preschooler
Son doesn't want to leave the psych ward
AnonymousGuest ·
Hi everyone 
My 2.5-year-old son has been going to toddler group for a few months now. At first, he found it really hard when I left, but after a few times, he started coming out to give me a kiss and waving to the teacher. But now, the last 3 times I’ve picked him up, as soon as he sees me, he quickly covers his eyes with his hands and runs far away from me.. (he doesn’t want to go home). Of course, I’m super happy that he’s having such a great time now, but I have to practically drag him halfway out of his classroom to get him to come with me. I first ask him how his day was at school and that we’re going to put on his jacket to head home, and then the drama starts. He angrily says NO! and throws himself hysterically on the floor. I have to struggle to put his jacket on him, and then I just pick him up, but he screams the whole way home..
Has anyone else experienced this? How do you handle it? Tips are very welcome..
My 2.5-year-old son has been going to toddler group for a few months now. At first, he found it really hard when I left, but after a few times, he started coming out to give me a kiss and waving to the teacher. But now, the last 3 times I’ve picked him up, as soon as he sees me, he quickly covers his eyes with his hands and runs far away from me.. (he doesn’t want to go home). Of course, I’m super happy that he’s having such a great time now, but I have to practically drag him halfway out of his classroom to get him to come with me. I first ask him how his day was at school and that we’re going to put on his jacket to head home, and then the drama starts. He angrily says NO! and throws himself hysterically on the floor. I have to struggle to put his jacket on him, and then I just pick him up, but he screams the whole way home..
Has anyone else experienced this? How do you handle it? Tips are very welcome..
Replies
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Madelene #2
Hi anon, it's tough when your little boy is having such a great time that he doesn't want to come home. It's nice that he's enjoying himself, but it's hard when he doesn't want to leave. I never really experienced this with my daughters, but I think you should explain to him before you go to the daycare that you'll be coming to pick him up. Prepare him in the morning beforehand. And when you come to pick him up, try to distract him. For example, bring a treat and say, "Come home with me and you'll get a treat," or bring something he loves to play with. Tell him that mom will make it cozy at home with him. Just try to make the idea of going home appealing to him. Don't focus too much on him not wanting to come along or telling him to listen; that only makes things worse. So, distract him. Good luck Greetings, Madelene -
Esra♡♥ #3
Your little boy probably doesn't understand why he has to go home while he's having so much fun, and why other kids who haven't been picked up yet can stay. Try letting him be the last one picked up once... then he'll see that other kids are going home too, and it'll become natural for him. Good luck. X -
Anonymous Guest #4
Thanks for your time and response
I'd rather not "buy" him off with candy or something like that; I don't want that to become a habit.
And I'm not sure if he understands it. Often, we're among the last to leave, and all the parents come in at once (the teachers pick them up), so all the parents come in with the kids' jackets, and he sees the other kids leaving too and putting on their jackets. Hopefully, it's just a phase, but I have to admit that I find it a bit tricky at those moments how to react or address it. -
Madelene #5
Hi Anonymous,
Just about your comment on buying.
It's not about buying a toy, but about distracting.
By using an example like that candy or something else, I mean distracting so that it's easier for the child to deal with it too.
And children seem small, but they understand more than you think. Often, explaining things to them already helps them along. By explaining to such a little one that all mamas will come back to pick up their children, or explaining in the morning that mama will come back later, you calm the child and make them aware that something has a beginning and an end.
It's precisely by explaining that you give the child a bit of peace.
But well, everyone has their own opinion of course.
I hope it brings improvement for you.
Greetings, Madelene -
Anonymous Guest #6
I didn't mean it negatively at all, Madelene
I'll tell him before I leave that mom will come pick him up later. Maybe I should make that clearer, indeed.
Thank you, I also hope it brings improvement. -
Madelene #7
Hi anonymous,
thanks for your explanation. I also made it clear that it was meant positively.
But luckily you already understood that
Wishing you lots of success and hoping for improvement for you.
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