Nothing really happening today, except Justin still won't get on the school bus. He told me nothing happened on the bus, as well as the neighbor's daughter who sits right next to him. For the past week, I have had to drive him to school. He flat out refuses to get on the bus and besides me physically putting him on the bus (then have to worry about him trying to run off), I am running out of things to get him on the bus. The thing is, when we get to his school, he gives me a hard time about even going to school (one of the aides had to carry him into school last week while he kicked and screamed). So, today and yesterday I brought him to where his class lines up, said my good-byes, and left. The days before that, I would hang around until the bell rang, but I think that made his 'seperation anxiety' worse. I spoke to his teacher who had no idea about Justin's antics because he is fine once he gets to his classroom, but she did mention that his work in class isn't where it should be (a whole other issue because he gets frustrated very easily and will give up rather than try). She said we could talk deeper about it at conferences next week, but I think his seperation anxiety and his school work are connected.

Back to the bus issue, I am at the end of my rope with this, so I brought up the only thing that Justin would be upset about losing... his Thomas the Train collection. Today, I took away two trains with the option for him to earn them back if he goes on the bus the rest of the week. If he won't go on the bus tomorrow, then he loses two more trains. If at the end of the week, he didn't try to go on the bus even once then he will lose the trains with no option to earn those back. I think he won't go on the bus because he feels like if he won't go on that I'll be mad about having to drive him (because it really is a pain since then I have to rush to get Madison to preschool on time) and let him stay home. He would much rather stay home.... he even told me yesterday that his teacher gives him a lot of work.... which I'm sure he gets frustrated at school with the work, then wants to give up, and would rather stay home.

So, for now I am concentrated on getting him on the bus. I have also been practicing things with him at home and trying to make it fun with lots of positive reinforcement. Oh and I got him two books that I will start reading to him and have him help pick out letters and eventually words.... Captain Underpants books. He's a boy so of course he laughs at anything having to do with underpants, burping, poop, or any bodily function for that matter... lol. So, I'm hoping the books will keep him interested enough to want to learn to read them on his own... or at least pick out words on his own.

I know kindergarten is a big step from preschool. He went from getting an afternoon snack and lots of playtime to all business from 9am to 11:42am each day. And kindergarten in our town is only half a day. So, the teacher really is trying to jam a lot of things into each day to prepare them for 1st grade. If anyone has any suggestions, please share them. I'm willing to try anything!!