It’s been rough but my 6-year-old is adjusting to school
By Charlotte on
I dropped my son off for his first days of school thinking I had my mom game face on. Spoiler: I didn’t. He clung to my hand, eyes wide, taking in the classroom like it was another planet. Other kids were chatting, unpacking, already in the groove. My boy just stood there overstimulated, unsure, trying to figure it out.
It broke my heart a little. Not because I doubt him, but because I know the world doesn’t always move at his pace. School is loud, structured, full of social cues he doesn’t naturally read. Instructions that seem simple to most kids can feel like puzzles to him. I cried in the parking lot the first day. I’m human. I worry. I want him to be happy and successful, and I hate seeing him struggle.
The second day was slightly better. He walked in without clinging as hard. The teacher told me he stayed at circle time for a few minutes. Small win? Absolutely. That’s how it goes...tiny steps. Progress that doesn’t look huge but means everything. We worked with the school to set up accommodations: breaks when it gets overwhelming, visual instructions, a quiet space. It’s not perfect, but it helps.
If you’re another parent going through this, I feel you. The anxiety is real. You wonder if your kid will fit in, if they’ll make friends, if school is even the right environment. I don’t have all the answers. What I do know is growth doesn’t have to be fast to matter. Learning looks different for every child. My son might not follow the same path as others, but that doesn’t mean he can’t get there in his own way.
Some days are hard. Some days I question everything. But then I see the little victories...him recognizing his routine, smiling about something he learned, getting a tiny bit more comfortable. That keeps me going.
It’s okay to believe in your kid even when things are tough. School is just one part of the journey. Our kids are capable of growth, and so are we. Keep showing up. It matters.