Last Day of School

Wow, the exact same thing happened to me yesterday... I told her it was OK to feel sad, and that she would still be able to visit her and say hello next year (she will be in the same school)... I know it is upsetting to see her cry but you know that means she had a wonderful teacher and that they really bonded. Give her time, even if it means she is crying a lot right now. Take care and good luck.

Give her time to process her feelings. Just be understanding and let her feel what she needs to. My son is the same way, every year he is upset on the last day of school. Don't you get upset when someone you care about leaves you? They are feeling the same way. Be there to listen if she needs to talk, reassure her that she will see most of her friends again and if possible maybe make some play dates for over the summer. Good luck!

Don't try so hard to make her feel better.

Give her a hug and tell her "I understand that you really loved your teacher and miss her a lot. I'm going to go and do some stuff around the house. If you need anything, or just want to talk, I love you very much and am happy to listen."

If she wants to talk right then, sit down and listen (no distractions). Don't try to rationalize what she says or offer any advice, just validate how she feels with some "Mmmhmmm" and "I understand why you're sad."

Really listen to her and make sure that she feels understood and not like she's being silly. The more understood she feels, the easier it will be for her to talk to you and work through her feelings.

If she doesn't want to talk, don't force the issue and don't smother her. Go and take care of the dishes or fold some laundry and give her time before you come and see her again.

I wish you the very best of luck.

Not sure who to address here...

Pick her up. Sympathize with her. Don't try to stop her crying. She is sad. She has left a person she has spent a lot of time with and will not see her again. She is grieving, and she needs to spend the time being talked to like she's lost someone, even though they aren't dead.

Most children see their teachers as living at school.

Try talking with her about what the teacher is doing now and where she is going, and then talk with her about HER summer and what she is going to be doing - even if it isn't 'much' in your eyes.

You can't replace the teacher. You can only be there for your little girl who has just suffered a loss.

Most people expect kids to get over this stuff. After all I have learned, that's just BUNK. Your daughter's tears are just further proof. : (

Good luck, and hope you find some common topics to transfer to after talking about 'things' the way they are now.
M.

I've gone through this with my kiddos. We made a scrapbook with all my sons pictures from school of the things he liked doing and his friends and teachers. Events that we didn't have pics for he drew in and usually we'd get through a page or so and he'd feel better then we'd put it away until he was sad again. It was a good way for him to focus on the positive memories and be active with his feelings rather than letting him get depressed. He still has the scrapbook from the last 2 school years and looks at them occasionally.