My 7-year-old son started second grade this year. Every morning he declares that he hates school, and he's not going to go. It's a struggle for us to get out the door. What can we do? – Dave Kids have many reasons for not wanting to go to school — separation from home and parents, bullies, assignments and grades, or a teacher. Talk with your child — and then perhaps with his teacher — to find out more about what's causing his anxiety and about his behavior at school. A school counselor or psychologist also might be able to help. Back to Articles Related Articles Helping Kids Deal With Bullies Unfortunately, bullying is a common part of childhood. But parents can help kids cope with it and lessen its lasting impact. Read More Helping Your Child Adjust to Preschool The more comfortable you are with placing your child in preschool and the more familiar the setting is for your child, the fewer problems you - and your child - will encounter. Read More Getting Involved at Your Child's School Whether their kids are just starting kindergarten or entering the final year of high school, there are many good reasons for parents to volunteer at school. Read More Talking About Your Feelings Noticing your feelings and saying how you feel can help you feel better. This article for kids has ideas on how to practice talking about feelings and emotions. Read More School Counselors School counselors know how to listen and can help kids with life's challenges. Read More Going Back to School There's a lot of "new" in the first day of school. New teachers, new friends, new shoes, new notebooks, and sometimes, a new school. Find out more about going back to school in this article for kids. Read More What to Do if You Don't Like School Everyone has a bad day at school once in a while, but some kids really don't like school. Read this article for kids to find out more. Read More Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor. © 1995-2021 KidsHealth®. All rights reserved. Images provided by The Nemours Foundation, iStock, Getty Images, Veer, Shutterstock, and Clipart.com.