START SCHOOL WITH A SMILE
What To Do When Young Children Cry About Going

At schools across America, teachers see two types of students: one quickly
adjusts to school and begins to enjoy it, the other cries each day at the door. By applying
some easy-to-follow Love and Logic® guidelines, parents can help their youngsters
belong to a very lucky group … students who start school with fun instead of fear.

Teach confidence by showing it.
When parents spend too much time trying to calm their children’s fears, their children
begin to think, “Wow. If my parents are this concerned about me, and they have to talk
this much about going to school, maybe there really is something to be worried about!”
More effective parents give lots of hugs, listen, and say, “I love you.” Doing this, they
send a very strong message of confidence. Simply put, confident parents tend to have
confident kids … worried parents tend to have worried kids.
If you drive your child to school, leave quickly.
Smart parents give quick hugs, let their kids know they’re in a hurry, and leave without
looking back. Why? Because the underlying message they send to their children is,
“You can handle this. You’re strong!” It’s amazing how children either live up to --
or down to -- our expectations.
Avoid backing down from tantrums and tears.
Don’t teach your child to be fearful by backing down to crying and allowing him or her
to stay home! Regardless of how heart wrenching their cries become, Love and Logic
parents send their kids to school. Why? Because all experienced teachers say the same
thing: “It’s amazing how fast kids calm down after their parents are out-of-sight!”
Parents across the country are finding these Love and Logic techniques are easy-to-learn,
teach kids to be responsible, and change lives! One parent commented, “My six-year-old
son was so afraid of school he wouldn’t even get out of the car when I tried to drop him off.
We were desperate. The day we tried these tips, and had some help from the teacher getting
him out of the car, was the last day we had these problems. We’re a happy family again!”

Give Love and Logic a try, and see how it changes your life. You’ll be amazed how
simple it really is.

Dr. Charles Fay is a nationally known speaker, parent, and school psychologist
with The Love and Logic Institute in Golden, Colo. His new video, Hope for Underachieving Kids,
and his book, Love and Logic Magic for Early Childhood, provide a wealth of ideas for raising kids
who are ready to learn and ready for the real world. For more information about Love and Logic
parenting and teaching techniques, call 1-800-LUV-LOGIC or visit www.loveandlogic.com.