My 5 year old started kindergarten 1 month ago exactly. It is 1/2 day kindergarten (8:30-12:10) 5 days a week. I have noticed that she is on edge more than usual, she gets angry fast and has been also more tired than normal. She is a bright girl and understands the work at kindergarten just fine but seems worn out from the change. On top of this, she has started wetting the bed 1-2 times a week. I have asked her lot's of questions trying to figure this out. She does not seem to have an infection. She said that she wakes up wet- she does not notice that she needs to go. Is this common for kids starting school? Do you think it is just the stress of starting something big and new? Any ideas or suggestions welcome.
could she be so tired that she just is sleeping heavier and not knowing that she has to go? it could just be something that she will have issues with starting something new. My son always chews his shirt collar the first few weeks of school then when he gets used to everything he stops. He doesnt realize he's doing it until I tell him to quit ruining all the new shirts I bought for the year. No fevers or anything?
I had the same thought as Sarah-- a tired kid may sleep harder and not wake when they have a full bladder. I would talk to the teacher and just let them know "kiddo seems a little off, and I know it's just the beginning of the year-- can you tell me what you are seeing in class?" It will help the teacher to keep an eye out (just in case), and you might find that your girl is having a fine time at school, that she saves her feelings for you at home.
For what it's worth, the first few months of my son's kindergarten year (half-day also) were pretty much hell at home. It was an enormous adjustment for him. This year in first grade has started out much better, but I can still see evidence of being 'stretched'. She's working really hard, so give it time.
I don't know that it's terribly common, but my 4 year old went through something very similar last year. When he was 2 he was in daycare full time. I don't work summers, so he was home with me for the summer. He did not nap over the summer. When school started, he went to daycare in teh morning and PreK in the afternoon. He potty trained over the summer and was consistently dry when school started. Total regression. He didn't consistently use the toilet until November.
I would definitely try to address her overtiredness. See what changes you can make to her sleep schedule to help her get more sleep. Don't sweat the overnight accidents. Just buy some pullups and have her wear them at night. Don't make a big deal about it, just let her know that this is totally normal and will help her sleep. She doesn't want to wake up in the middle of the night soaking wet. This way she can sleep through the night and wake up happy and ready for another great day.
Give her time! It's a lot for her to get used to. And she will. But she might need some time.
K is a big adjustment. Plus they are very tired. I would bet she is just in a deep sleep from the day. Things should I,prove with time.
Her body probably grew a bit and her bladder didn't.
This is very very very common for kindergartners or first graders. I honestly say this with many years experience. We kept a box of extra clothes in the school kids classroom at my center and almost all the center's in know did too.
Questions like this always remind of issues like this, that I had completely forgotten.
Every one of my kids wet the bed during the first month of KG. I was mortified with the first, not too surprised by the 2nd kid and totally expected it and was prepared for it by kid #3. I put those pee pads back down before the first day of school and took them off in October.
