Help with traumatic daycare drop off

Meery82

DS cries and clings to me when I drop him off at daycare. I know it's probably his age (he is almost 21 months) but I wasn't sure if there is something I can do to make it les traumatic for him. The teachers tell me he usually quits crying within a few minutes after I leave. I usually hug him for a minute then hand him over to a teacher. The teacher tries to distract him. He usually quits once I'm out of sight. Is there any better way to handle it? A better distraction? No dragging out the hug; just hand him over and go? He only goes to daycare 3 days a week. I'm not sure if that makes a difference in his reaction or not.

Samiantha101

I would make the drop offs as quick as possible. For a year, I stayed home with dd and would watch another child about her age. When her mom dropped her off, it was always a nightmare. Sometimes she would cry for an hour. It was frustrating and heartbreaking. However, when her dad dropped her off, it was usually smooth sailing. He was pretty quick with his goodbyes.

djm31012

DS does the same thing and we can see thru the window he is done by the time we are at the car. its heartbreaking--but im sure its just a phase.  i think you are doing everything right. could you shorten up the goodbye a little bit? maybe. but i think he would still cry.

QueSrah

I always tried the bandaid approach - do dropoff as quickly as possible and get out of sight to avoid dragging out the meltdown.  It's totally the age, and it will pass eventually.

Nita14701

Lo started doing this a couple of weeks ago. I've just been leaving quickly. I'm hoping that this phase will be over soon.

aglenn

I agree it's a phase and will pass, but it still breaks my heart, too.  Like one of the PPs suggested, DD would do better if DH dropped her off during those phases.  I don't know if that's an option for you.  DS freaks out for a little while with either of us dropping off lately.  He is teething and having general separation problems, plus he just moved up to the twos class, and I know it will end soon enough, but man, it is hard.

Meery82

Thanks everyone. I will try to make drop offs quicker. I know he likes it there. My mom picked him up yesterday and said he was blowing kisses two handed to all the teachers as he left.