Dropping off toddler at daycare for first time

skibunny59

Hi Ladies,

I've been back to work since DD was 6 months old (now 22 months) but doesn't go to daycare.  My mom watches her 4 days a week and my MIL one day. 

We are going skiing in a few weeks and we are putting her in the daycare center there so that DH and I can ski together.  I'm so nervous about leaving her and am afraid she will cry the whole time.  We did this last year too and she did very well but she was a lot younger (11 months) and actually by the 3rd day she actually did cry a little because I think she figured it out "oh this is the place where mom and dad leave me and I don't want them to leave". 

Anyway, how can I make this go smoothly for her and for me?  She is a very social, happy kid but is very into mommy right now.  It's only for like 4 or 5 hours for two days but I'm still scared.  I've heard you're not supposed to linger but what if she's crying hysterical and clinging to me?  Do I still just kiss her goodbye and let the daycare providers deal with it?

djm31012

I think thats all you can do. Just keep telling yourself its only a few days. Give her a special lovey/blanket or something to comfort her while she is there. I am sure they are used to it!

mommymegan831

I always try to bring a snack or drink they may like.  When my son started daycare at 15 months he did spend almost all day of the 1st 2 weeks crying on and off.  Do you know if they take crying kids?  I know at the gym if a kid doesn't stop crying shortly they get the parent. 

thedash

My son started preschool at 2.5 and he cried for the entire 3 hours the first day, most of the time the second day, and then just at drop off the next few times. The teachers were awesome but I'm not sure that anything other than time would have helped him.