I'm sick; I can't go to school

[Rach]

oh goodness... anyone else dealing with this? DS is only in 1st grade, and he has already wanted to stay home 5 times this year because he's "sick"
I take his temp and look at him closely and there never appears to be anything wrong.
DH says unless he's puking he's going to school. I don't agree with that - I think it could actually make him start throwing up just to stay home. Usually after I remind ds that if he stays home there will be no tv or video games, he's okay to go to school

Any thoughts or advice?

[jwright]

I have definitely dealt with this. My mom was the type that if you weren't throwing up, etc. you went to school - I really didn't like that growing up but now I'm that way with my ds. I just send him off to school because he never looks or acts sick to me. You might try talking with him to see how things are going at school, maybe someone is being mean or picking on him and that is why he doesn't want to go so he says he is sick hoping he can stay home.

Janell

my dd is in first grade also and asked 4 or 5 x's already to stay home also! i asked her if there was anything going on at school, like some one picking on her or anything else she said no. so i think her problem is she's afraid of missing out on anything at home. sorry i don't have any advice b/c i'm looking for some myself for the same thing!

[SpiritFilledMomof2]

Ditto here on that. My dd who is also in 1st has tried that one a couple of times. Although I think it's because she doesn't want to get out of bed. She's not really a morning person. Once she's up and moving she's ok. I would check with the teacher to see if anything is going on, see what her observations are. Does he have any friends or does he seem to be by himself most of the time? Are kids picking on him? Or is he just trying out some new waters to test with you to see what he can get away with?

[Rach]

I'll talk to the teacher, but ds never tells me anything bad at the end of the day - his comments are almost always positive. He does tell me when things happen, like "Summer went to yellow today, and that's not good." (their behaviour is stop light coded, green, yellow, red...) and also some other things. I know he has friends because we have playdates with them (at the request of both boys) and also sometimes I have been there suring class/recess waiting for them to get out and he is playing with the other kids, getting along fine. I think it may simply be what you ladies mentioned - not a morning person, doesn't like to get up and get ready, and also he might MISS OUT on something at home.?

Hmm, well I'll keep it in my prayers. My worst fear is that he will say that then the school will call me to pick him up cause he really is sick.
So far, it's all been false alarms.

The other thing I was thinking about is maybe he's a little nervous or has a little anxiety or excitement and when he feels those little flutters he thinks he's sick/naseous.