Gearing up for a hard Monday! :(

[Andy]

Monday will be difficult child's first day of Middle School. We went through the schedule walking the halls from class to class and difficult child knows his locker combo by heart. He is ready! Except for one thing.

I sent difficult child and diva to Fargo today to shop for tennis shoes and clothes for difficult child. He was a little nervous about the trip and I sent his alprazolam with "just in case". I really didn't think he would need it. He did not.

He did fine up there and shopping. On the way home, he stated he started feeling weird and the anxiety thoughts started to creep in. He started crying saying that he can not go to school. He hates school because he feels bad there all the time.

I told him that he had a great summer and he was stronger than he has been in the past. I reminded him of some large obsticles he overcame this Summer. I also told him that there was room to increase medications and I would be in immediate communications with psychiatrist to do so if needed.

He stated that last year at the end of the year he felt horrid every single morning. To which I reminded him that he had a migrane that lead to a panic attack in March and because of flooding in Fargo, we were unable to get into a doctor to get back on medications as soon as we should have. I told him this year I can call psychiatrist and he can make changes over the phone so difficult child should not have to get so low again.

difficult child hugged me and said, "Give me this speech again tomorrow". "But tomorrow is not Monday." "I know but I will not be as tired."

Last night we had attended a neighbor's bon fire party. It was awesome - adults chatting around the fire - kids running through the neighborhood playing kick the can and flashlight tag. We got home and to bed way too late. difficult child did not get up until past 11:30 am! He is way too tired though he still got a good 11 hours of sleep last night.

So, tommorrow will be spent reminding him of how much he has accomplished and how he can get through school. How he is setting himself up to feel bad and to not be looking for that. He has been told by therapist that when he looks for things like not feeling good, he will find it. He needs to look forward to being successful. I will remind him what his tools are.

I think I may have to start the alprazolam on Monday just to get him to school for awhile.

How can he be so confident and yet so anxious? It is so hard to watch him happily run through the school showing me where his classrooms are and acting so mature about being able to open the locker combination and showing no anxiety whatsoever and then BOOM - here it is. Even though I was expecting this. I was so hoping to avoid this. Sigh - I know, this will be with him for life. I know he is really trying his best to not let his anxiety get the best of him. I hate watching what this is doing to him.

 

[lmf64]

I'm sending positive thoughts through telepathy to difficult child. Tell him for me that HE CAN DO IT! He can do anything he sets his mind to.

 

[maril]

I agree that the transition to middle school can be challenging. It is a plus that your son is well prepared and supported.

Sending positive thoughts your way with best wishes for smooth sailing on Monday.

 

[Wiped Out]

Poor guy. I'm sending prayers that the beginning of the year is positive and sets the tone for the rest of the year. Hugs.

 

[TerryJ2]

Gosh, if he does that well with-one of your pep talks, I'm sure he'll be fine Monday a.m., even if he's a bit short on sleep. *You* may want to carve out some time in the a.m. after he leaves, to take a deep breath, read, and gather your wits after you give him a phenomenal pep talk.
He sounds like he's very aware and trying hard.

 

[Kjs]

That was a very hard transition for difficult child also. difficult child had good days and not so good. It was that first day that was so full of anxiety. He met so many new kids there. I am sure he will be fine. You did a great job with you talk.

 

[DazedandConfused]

The transition to middle school was very difficult for Son. He had his first anxiety attacks during this time. They were just awful.

However, he did get through them and is now in 8th grade. I'm so impressed with your difficult child requesting a similiar pop talk in the morning. Just made it through that first day.

 

[Running_for_the_shelter]

Almost everyone is nervous going to middle school. It's my opinion that the people who face the first day of middle school with no anxiety are people who either have no imagination or who are completely delusional. It's a whole different society! What thinking person wouldn't be nervous?

easy child is off to middle school soon. She's bright, pretty, and all that, and yes, she's nervous. Your difficult child is young to understand that virtually all of the other children are nervous, too. But perhaps he might find a little comfort in knowing that this transition is hard on practically all children, not just him. Sounds like you're doing a good job supporting him and helping him remember what progress he's made. That's all you can do.

Good luck! I'll be thinking of you.