[Excentrique]

Anyone else find their kids really struggle at the end of the year? DD is not wanting to go to school, tired, teary, etc. She was like this last year as well (currently second year of school). I'm thinking of giving her a day off tomorrow.

There are no problems at school, DD just says she is very tired of all the work. How do you manage it?

[ALEJA]

Yes! I only have one child in kindergarten but today I was at the shops chatting to the deli lady saying how he had just finished a tantrum and that his behaviour has been pretty poor. And she pointed out that all her kids also got like this at the same time of year. I hope it is true because to be honest I am over it and it scares me he might be like this all the time!

[aratiaw]

Yep. DD1 is only FYOS but went to preschool 5 days a week for two years, so this is the third year this has happened for her.
I'm not one to allow time off school lightly, but I think a mental health day or two at this time of year is not unreasonable for younger kids if it helps them cope.

[applepie83]

The kids in my class are restless and not overly focused - standard for this time of the year. We are all on the countdown.

This post has been edited by applepie83: 28/11/2012, 10:03 PM

[Boys Rock]

My son has had a day off this week because of fatigue. I told the teacher he had the day off for that exact reason and she said heaps of children are teary etc at this time of the year.

[Chelli]

For us, mental health days off are a must when I have teary and tired children who are just burnt out. Daylight savings makes it hard to get them to sleep as early as they do in winter, the many activities they are doing - school swimming lessons (our kids are in the 2nd week of them at the moment), end of year picnics, excursions, assemblies, packing up the classrooms, etc is wearing them out. Even my DD in high school is feeling it. It doesn't help that the kids are going until nearly Christmas here in Tas! I think they finish on the 21st of December here.

Anyway, I certainly sympathise and I don't think at this time of year it hurts to take a break when they are finding it too much.

[mez70]

Well my older 2 have well and truly hit the wall.
We had a 1/2 day teacher stop work today and DS teacher was still going to be at school and normally DS would attend but today given his sister was staying home (teacher on strike) and as she is currently recovering from a nasty chest infection (tail end, still very tired and not back to full strength) I had convinced her to stay home all day and REST. I allowed DS to have the day off as well

In the past 3 years my DD has had nasty chest infections that turn to mild pnuemonia twice and both of these times has been in November. I know she has a crazy Sept/ October due to Cali Comps and concerts etc so come November she is totally exhausted and has little reserve left.

Last year I really noticed that Dec was a really tough month and in Vic the public schools went until Dec 22, so they were totally wrecked for Christmas as they didn't get anytime to unwind between finishing school and Christmas....So this year I am actively making an effort to truly wind down in Dec and as hubby will have the last 2 weeks of term off I and seriously thinking of taking a couple of days off with the kids and just unwinding (give them 2 days off and have a long weekend away)

[Luxe]

not wanting to go to school, tired, teary, etc

almost sounds like me
3 more working weeks to go!

[Ianthe]

Yep my Year 2 child is over it completely and even my Year 4 son has had it. I think my Year 6 son is only excited because it's his last year of primary and he is doing lots of fun stuff.

I have had enough of homework and the running around too and cannot wait for all activities to stop.

[Freddie'sMum]

*nods head in agreement*

Miss-7-and-a-half (year 1 girl) is explaining to me "I'm so busy Mum at school, there's so much to do".

There is an end of year concert and all the other stuff that is going on - everyone is just tired and cranky. Not long to go now.