29.10.07

Kindergarten child getting sick from anxiety?

My child is in Kindergarten and has thrown up almost once a week since the beginning of school. He is a basket case. If he makes any kind of five-year old mistake, he loses it. He is reading and is very good with numbers, but no matter what he is good at, he only focuses on what he can’t do. I know the other parents think I am pounding perfection into him, but I am doing the opposite. How do I make him calm down? Have you ever heard of such a thing?

I have seen this type of anxiety in Kindergarten students before. Your son is not alone. One of the brightest students I have ever taught behaved in a similar way. Her mom and I worked tirelessly to help her relax, and honestly we worked on it all year. She was not, however, getting physically ill. She would complain of tummy aches, but we were able to redirect her attention. Before activities, we would discuss and model how to handle mistakes so that she was prepared and knew how to react. She is now in the GATE program and quite successful, but still a perfectionist.

If your child is throwing up on a weekly basis, you should consult with your pediatrician. Even if this is stress-induced, your doctor will have advice for you on how to help your child. And while you are at it, do not give a second thought as to what the other parents may or may not be thinking about you. Do you even care? You shouldn’t. All that matters is your son.

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