Ep #157: When kids won‘t go to school

It's not unusual for kids to have days where they don't want to go to school, but what happens when your child flat out refuses to go?

The reason why your child is refusing to go to school could be because they are being bullied or made to feel unsafe. They may be experiencing high anxiety levels due to a new class, subject, or major changes to friends or family situations such as a divorce, death, or loss of a good friend. They may be experiencing depression, or they may have a learning disability that they are ashamed of. 

It is essential to figure out what is causing their discomfort before addressing appropriate courses of action. We recommend using the skill of Decision Making (SODAS Method) to help you and your child together determine what should be done.

The SODAS Method allows you to see the pros and cons together, making a plan on what to do less overwhelming.

When making a plan, remember it's about what is best for your child and not necessarily what you want. While you may want your child in school full-time, a half-day may be in their best interest. Or your child may benefit from therapy or medication.

Once you make a plan, it's okay to revisit the plan in a week, month, or six months to determine if it's still effective or if it needs to be modified.

You can learn all about the skill of Decision Making (SODAS Method) on SmarterParenting.com