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Working Moms
Anxiety when dropping LO off at daycare
Hi fellow moms!
I am having MAJOR anxiety when I drop LO off at daycare in the mornings. We had an issue that I posted about a few days ago that was sort of the beginning of my anxiety and now it's getting progressively worse! I think the hardest part is the transition when dropping him off in the mornings. There are several kids being dropped off at one time and it seems like total chaos. The teacher doesn't take LO or help me get him situated (i think probably because she is getting so many babies at once). I know a lot of this issue is with me and perhaps the guilt that I feel for being a working parent, I'd love to be a SAHM, but financially it was not what was best for my family.
So my question is how do you handle drop off of your LO's? And, any ideas on how I can make this easier for not only LO but for me as well?
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Re: Anxiety when dropping LO off at daycare
Those latter days are hard on me, but when I think about it rationally, I know that Liam likes being there, and that by me working, he'll have a LOT more life-enriching opportunities than he would if I stayed home, both from a financial standpoint and a socialization standpoint. That helps me. It also helps that I really like one of the morning DCPs, she is pregnant, and just adores my son.
Can you drop him off a little earlier or later? See if there is a time when there is no one there dropping off. That one on one time with the caregiver might help you.
Write down exactly what is giving you anxiety about dropping him off. If it's that specific center and another might be better, go shopping for a new center. If it's where you are mentally, then you need to work on your outlook.
Then write down all the reasons that are positive about the center and your working. Go over that list as you are getting ready in the morning. It's like a little pep-talk.
Also, be sure to suround yourself with people who are positive about your work situation. If someone close to you is feeding you with why it's bad to work, stop listening to them or tell them they aren't making this any easier.
Talk with the director and see what they advise about your anxiety.
You have to make this better for you because your child will feed off your energy. If you go in with a positive attitude about how much he's going to gain from the center and you working, your child will feel that and enjoy his time there. If he feels this isn't what you want, he won't want to be there either. I can always tell which moms are ok with drop offs and which are not by their kid's reactions.
Good luck. It does get better.
met DH 1995 ~ married DH 2006 ~ completed our family 2008
Life is good!
I leave the infant carrier at daycare all day, since DH and I both have bases for it in our cars, and he sometimes needs to do pick up. Also, he works closer, so if DS gets sick and needs to go home early, DH will be the one to pick him up.
It's not so chaotic when we get there because DS is almost always the first to arrive in the infant room. Sometimes he's napping when we arrive, and the teacher lets him finish his nap in the carrier. If he's awake, she'll take him out right away. Either way, I bring him in, tell the teacher when he ate (and any other info she may need about his day), and leave.
If you start feeling guilty, remember that you are doing what's best for your family, and therefore have nothing to feel guilty about.
Thanks ladies, these are some raelly good suggestions. I do think I am going to try and get there earlier in the mornings so perhaps I can stay for a minute longer and help with the transition. Also, perhaps there won't be so many kids being dropped off. I can also try dropping if off later too if earlier doesn't help.
I honestly think that I would feel this way with any daycare I take him too. I know the daycare we've chosen is good, we did all of our research and really feel great with the people that are working there. With DD I actually worked at the center so I was able to check on her whenever I wanted. I think that defintely helped so perhaps that's why I didn't feel this way the first time around.
Could you call once a day for a couple weeks? Sometimes knowing your child is ok puts your mind at ease. I loved to call and hear a quiet nursery, knowing thery were able to tend to the needs of all the infants.
I'm glad you are happy with the center. Focus on that and all the postitive things related to it.
met DH 1995 ~ married DH 2006 ~ completed our family 2008
Life is good!
DH drops DS off about 80% of the time. That's how I deal with it!
But when I do drop him off, I hand him to a person who can hold him/love on him for a minute. If that means I have to get there a few minutes early or stay a few extra minutes and rush to work, oh well.
I like to chat with the DCP and tell them face to face when he ate last, how he slept, etc. Even though we write it down, I know they can't remember it all, so seeing and hearing the info makes people more likely to remember.
Perhaps I should see if DH can help with drop off more (he does maybe once a week)...I think that's a great idea! I am sure he would rather help then keep getting calls from me every morning!
Maybe us going together would be a good idea too.