My 5yr. old cries all day at school?

[GINNIENICOLE]

My daughter just started Kinder, she cries all day in class that she wants MOMMY. She has become very disrupted in class where the other students are unable to learn. I have had a conference with Principal and her classroom teacher, they have come up with a sticker system where every time that she is not crying she gets a sticker up to four times a day. She refuses to eat lunch, play on the play ground and even participate in class. She goes to an after school program with her two older siblings where she stays there till about 6pm. I am a single parent and work from 8-5 Mon-Fri. I pick them up from LAS the after school program and all she tells me is that she does not want to go back to school. It started off by little things like she didn’t like drinking from the fountain, so I had her bring a bottle water. Then it was I don’t like to food in the cafeteria so I fix her lunch. Now she says she misses me and she wants me to get off of work early to pick her up. She pretty much wines about school all evening until it’s bed time, then is awake before her time to wake up to tell me she does not like school. I have sent her to school with a Teddy bear and said this is mommy when mommy’s not around so when you start to miss me just hug the bear and mommy is hugging you back. I have also sent her to school with a picture of me one by myself and one with me and her. I am out of options and don’t know what to do. I get upset sometimes because I’m so tired of hearing the crying. I know the teacher and other students have to be too. Is there anything else that I can do to help her. I have never felt this way where I don’t know what to do. I feel so sad inside because I send my child to school every morning crying. It makes me want to cry now because it really hurts me. Please help!!

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

You are doing the right thing.

[GINNIENICOLE]

The problem has gotten worse. She is now having to be dragged into school. She refuses to eat breakfast, lunch and dinner. When she arrives home at 6pm she will eat a lunchable or something lite. When dinner is ready and everyone sits to eat she refuses to come to the dinner table. Now I'm worrying about her nutrtion. She cries all day long she is loosing her voice. I'm am very sadden with this situtation. I feel so helpless! I have now called a Child couselor professional to help me take of this matter. Do you think this will help her?

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

If you stick to the routine it should improve over time. Now, there are some children who are emotionally not ready to commence full-day school, but it does not sound like you really have any option.