VERY 'Nervous' Anxious' 'Worried' 7 Year Old

Oh I'm sorry your little guy is going through this! It's the unknown he is fearing. He is asking very legitimate questions and to him, they are big worries. He needs constant reassurance which means he still is not secure in his new environment. Has he made any friends yet? Can he carpool with another child in his class? Is there any way for you to volunteer in his classroom for a few weeks?

When my daughter was in 3rd grade I met a Mom whose daughter was going through this. She didn’t have a car so I offered to take her and her daughter in my car and she stayed and helped when I volunteered. It really helped ease her daughter’s mind. Driving to school with my daughter helped. They would talk and giggle while in the car and walk up to the class together.

Those are the only suggestions I have. I really hope you find something that works!

You might also talk to the school's counselor, if your school has one. I bet your son isn't the only one in this situation and a counselor might be able to help him make friends with other new children.

Does he have friends at school? If there is one child in particular he is friendly with, maybe you could call the mom of that child and arrange some weekend playtime. That might ease the transition between "home time" and "school time." And if he can arrange to sit with a certain friend on the bus maybe that would alleviate some of the bus anxiety. It sounds like you're doing everything you can to provide security for your little boy and he is going through a tough transition. Do you guys have a good afterschool/evening routine, with a family dinner to talk about your day? If you can discuss the concerns the night before, maybe they won't seem so large in the morning. I'm so sorry, this sounds like a rough time for you all but with patience I think it will work out.

I have found with my son that we have to talk and talk and talk and talk to address his worries. He needs lots of reassurance over and over again. We also acknowlege that his "worries" are legitimate by saying things like "I know all of these changes have been hard for all of us" or "it is hard to have to change schools," etc. When he says he doesn't want to go to school, tell him that you know some parts of it are hard for him, or that it was difficult to change schools. You will feel like a broken record, but after awhile things will get better. I read the other day that it takes kids 3 - 6 months to adjust to major changes like this.

sounds like a lot of big changes & his reaction seems pretty reasonable - he's feeling understandably very insecure. just keep re-assuring him and do as much as you can to 1) give him a sense of normalcy and routine 2) validate that it's ok to feel scared & sad.

i would also suggest engaging the school psychologist who can give him an outlet to talk about his worries that he may not want to share with you. the psych can also help him with coping strategies.

good luck with all of your life changes & it sounds like you are doing a great job to support your son in the transition!

It sounds like he is feeding off what you and your husband are feeling, The best way to help children when there are family trials, is to turn it into a story make it an adventure, children love adventure stories. J.

Updated

It sounds like he is feeding off what you and your husband are feeling, The best way to help children when there are family trials, is to turn it into a story make it an adventure, children love adventure stories. J.

Sounds like a little seperation anxiety. A lot of change. Some kids can not transisition as smoothly as others and some are natural born worriers. Confirm anything you can, like yes I will pick you up, yes the bus will be on time, no,noone will leave you or forget about you. Could you have hubby stay home with 3 year old and have a day just you and your 7 year old. Because all of a sudden you are a SAHM and his little brother is getting you 24/7, can be tough. He'll eventually settle in, just don't discount his concerns as they are real to him. Good luck

We have only 1 vehicle.
I have the van during the day. We have 2 kids.
My Husband... to go to work, carpools... and catches the bus home.
Can your husband do that????
My Husband has no need for a 'vehicle' when he is at work... he is in an office. It would just be sitting there all day, in a parking lot.... and having to pay for parking, daily. Does not make sense to do that. Meanwhile, we have 2 kids, things to do, my daughter goes to school... and so "I" need the van during the day. So... that is what we do.

So what changes your Husband can do.... per the 1 vehicle you have to share.....