Preschool jitters

My boys (who are 4) start preschool two days a week next week and I am getting really nervous! Up until now it has been either my husband and I or our in-laws watching the boys so this is the first time they will be out of our care. This terrifies me!

I never have time to read the newspaper but today I pick it up and the first article I read is about a six year old who wandered off of the playground at his school and walked over two miles back to his house! Thankfully he was ok but I so did not need to read this a week before I send my babies off to the big world!

I'm trying to figure out how to just trust...not worry...and let them grow up. I feel like I want to prep them with things like "don't talk to strangers", "stay with your teachers" , "don't leave the classroom"...but I don't want to add to their anxiety about starting a new school too.

Ok...can anyone please give me some words of wisdom and support....please? Thank you so much!

 

We are in the same situation. My girls start 2 weeks from today and I'm trying to be excited around them, but I'm nervous. The first day we have to just drop them off and leave! I can't go into their classrooms or meet their teachers they want to start the normal routine from the very first day and while I get that, emotionally I'm kind of a wreck.

We've been talking to them about what to expect in school, that they have to listen to the teacher and her helpers, and be kind and polite to everyone.

 

Keep telling yourself that they will be fine...because they will be. I am sure the preschool told you of their safety measures (keeping the doors locked, teacher/assistant to child ratio, staff CPR trained, etc.) and I would keep reminding yourself of that. I think it is perfectly normal to be nervous when handing your children in the care of complete strangers, I know I was nervous. But as you and the children get more in a routine with it, everyone's nerves will calm down. Good luck!

 

We helped ease jitters by practicing some things...

I pretended I was the teacher and they practiced:

asking to go potty
telling a teacher a problem ( I need a.....my friend is hurt.....etc)
a friend took a toy/book/etc
getting in line
etc

That gave them some confidence on the first day!

Good Luck my kiddos LOVED preschool and we had some wonderful teachers!

 

Great suggestions!! Thank you!

 

Thanks everyone! We went to visit the school again today. Not sure if I feel better or worse! It seems like a nice enough school but it just makes me so sad that I won't be there to help them if they are scared or upset. I will just have to trust that the teachers will help them.

One thing that does make me nervous is that they walk the kids across the street to a fairly large neighborhood park as well as walking trips through the neighborhood behind the school. I have to sign a permission slip for these trips and have the option to say no that i don't want the boys going but then I don't want them singled out. So do you just let them go and say lots of prayers!! Would this make you all nervous? Thanks for reading!