First day of daycare

[ashleyp728]

Well, I just dropped I off to daycare a little but ago. I hope he will have fun there. There were only two other babies in there with him (most of the kids are a little older, and in a different room) and they were both girls. I am looking forward to his "report card" this afternoon when my MIL picks him up and see how he did today. I just hope this isn't going to totally screw up his naps and sleeping schedule. Fingers crossed!!

[ilovebed]

I bet he will love the interaction!

[ashleyp728]

I guess he only barely cried after I shut the door on my way out, otherwise he had fun. He took two naps there which is more than normal at home, and he refused food so he was starving when he got home. Hopefully tomorrow he will feel a little more comfortable there.

[7costanza]

Glad to hear it went ok! I've heard it can take a couple weeks to adjust, so I'm sure tomorrow will be better. Is he going 5 days a week?

[jennlin]

that sounds like it wasn't too bad!

[ashleyp728]

He is going 4 days a week. I just checked him in today, and I guess he cried a little more than my in laws told me. The lady there got the (correct) idea that my in laws can be a little overboard about him, so the lady opted to wait and tell me. I guess he cried for about an hour yesterday, and today when I dropped him off he cried as soon as I set him on the floor and clung to my leg. I feel like I want to sit there with him and calm him, but I know he will just start bawling as soon as I leave again. Any tips on this? I guess it's my fault as he's only been with me and H or our parents since he was born. I hope he will come to see that daycare isn't as horrible as it seems right now. 

[alias]

Jun 24, 2014 10:10:34 GMT -5 ashleyp728 said:

He is going 4 days a week. I just checked him in today, and I guess he cried a little more than my in laws told me. The lady there got the (correct) idea that my in laws can be a little overboard about him, so the lady opted to wait and tell me. I guess he cried for about an hour yesterday, and today when I dropped him off he cried as soon as I set him on the floor and clung to my leg. I feel like I want to sit there with him and calm him, but I know he will just start bawling as soon as I leave again. Any tips on this? I guess it's my fault as he's only been with me and H or our parents since he was born. I hope he will come to see that daycare isn't as horrible as it seems right now. 

Staying and comforting him does not help; it just makes it worse.  It would have been good if you could have brought him to visit a few times before leaving him there all day, but that ship has sailed.  If you have a few minutes, maybe sit and play with him?  But, when you're ready to leave, say bye and go.  I think it just takes time.  It will get better.  E was much younger when he started, so it was different, but it took at least a month to get comfortable there.  Now he loves it.  Although, they are at that separation anxiety age, so that doesn't help.

You could also bring some familiar items to make him feel more comfortable.  His favorite blanket, something that smells like you, pictures of you and H, his favorite toy, etc.

[shevacc]

G is a slow to warm up toddler and she was the same way as a baby. I would often stay and play for just a few minutes, at least long enough until one of the teachers had their hands free. Then I always handed her off straight to a teacher (I would pick her favorite one from the ones there), say goodbye, give her a kiss, and leave quickly. Since she nearly always cried for a minute or two, they held her and helped her get distracted by some other activity.

[ashleyp728]

Jun 24, 2014 11:33:20 GMT -5 alias said:

Jun 24, 2014 10:10:34 GMT -5 ashleyp728 said:

He is going 4 days a week. I just checked him in today, and I guess he cried a little more than my in laws told me. The lady there got the (correct) idea that my in laws can be a little overboard about him, so the lady opted to wait and tell me. I guess he cried for about an hour yesterday, and today when I dropped him off he cried as soon as I set him on the floor and clung to my leg. I feel like I want to sit there with him and calm him, but I know he will just start bawling as soon as I leave again. Any tips on this? I guess it's my fault as he's only been with me and H or our parents since he was born. I hope he will come to see that daycare isn't as horrible as it seems right now. 

Staying and comforting him does not help; it just makes it worse.  It would have been good if you could have brought him to visit a few times before leaving him there all day, but that ship has sailed.  If you have a few minutes, maybe sit and play with him?  But, when you're ready to leave, say bye and go.  I think it just takes time.  It will get better.  E was much younger when he started, so it was different, but it took at least a month to get comfortable there.  Now he loves it.  Although, they are at that separation anxiety age, so that doesn't help.

You could also bring some familiar items to make him feel more comfortable.  His favorite blanket, something that smells like you, pictures of you and H, his favorite toy, etc.

I wanted to bring him in a little, but we weren't at a place where we could afford to start until H got a job (we were living off my income alone) and that was also prior to my new full time position. So, it is what it is. 

He has a blanket from home, and I do sit and play for a bit. He is fine while I am there, but it is when I leave that he gets upset. I think it is just that separation anxiety age that he is in. I so can't wait until I get home from work tonight and can wrap my arms around him again. Next week will be a little harder even, as I will start earlier so he will need to be dropped off earlier. I am hoping this week will help ease him in before the longer days next week. 

On the plus side, he STTN last night!!!

[shevacc]

Yay for STTN! Daycare got much easier on me over time and now I love the break (working = break, hahaha) and G loves playing with her friends there. It works well for our family. I hope he transitions quickly for you!

[ashleyp728]

Today failed. Had to pick him up at noon with a fever. Poor boy. Better luck next week!