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saturdaynightdoubletree
member
Breaking my heart... WWYD? (long)
saturdaynightdoubletree
member
So here is everything in a nut shell. We moved to TX from MA in August, have a 12 month old daughter, and LO on the way. DH is in the Coast Guard, and I am a teacher turned SAHM. I feel blessed to have been a SAHM this long, and that we can afford for me to continue to be.
DD is a very loving, happy, and outgoing little girl. She loves to be around other kids, but doesn't have very many opportunities to be. I thought it would be a good idea to send her to daycare 2-3 days a week to get her exposed to more children (even germs to build immunities) and see the world outside every day with mom. Coming from a teaching background, I think socialization is a huge part of development at her age. And to be blunt and honest, the time she is at school will be a nice "break" for me to spend with our soon to be newborn.
Here's the problem. We visited 10+ daycare centers in the area, and none of them really felt right. Finally we found one the met our basic needs and the staff seemed friendly, etc. We enrolled DD, and she started last Tuesday. She was there Tues, Thurs, and Fri. I know it takes some time to transition, but now I am doubting everything about the idea.
Positive: The center/classroom is clean. The teacher's/staff are really nice. It is a certified center. They provide breakfast, lunch, and snack. They have a curriculum for toddlers.
Negative: She has had to give up her morning nap (1.5-2 hours). Can't bring her comfort stuffed animal to nap with. She hasn't slept once there yet (meaning for 3 days she has been awake 12+ hours). She already got sick - 103 temp, green runny nose, etc. She now freaks out any time anyone changes her diaper. She doesn't smile 1/2 as much. She freaks out when we try to put her in the tub.
Basically, I don't know how long to wait it out, or when to just give in and keep her home with me. This week has been miserable for all of us. I don't know if it's the new environment, lack of sleep, or combination... but it's breaking my heart. WWYD in this situation? Be honest, I need it. TIA!
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Breaking my heart... WWYD? (long)
She's going 2-3 days a week from 9am - 2:30/3pm. Nap is from 11:30-1:30/2pm. It's an early condensed nap, which doesn't make it easy to drop off later or pick up earlier to take second nap.
I'd give it a few more weeks. When Marion started MDO, the second day and the second week were the hardest for us. After that, it was pretty smooth sailing.
However, I would be worried why she would freak out about someone changing her diaper. Ask what kind of wipes they use because it may be causing her some pain if she needs sensitive skin wipes.
Also, how strict are they about the no loveys? Our MDO said no lovies, but then the teachers asked me to bring a blanket for Marion because she naps so much better with one.
j+k+m+e | running with needles
I think the "rule" is that so long as the toddler is getting 12 hours of sleep a day, they're fine. My son dropped his 2nd nap around 12 months old and drops his nap entirely about 3 days out of the week (he is 2.5). So, I wouldnt' worry about the school only giving her one nap...developmentally, she'll be ok.
I think the rest will just take time......starting school has got to be a huge adjustment for her and she'll return to her old self in no time! If after a month she is still not adjusted, maybe consider a new school....but I really think kids are resilient and she'll love going to school in a few weeks!
This happened to us as well. Our younger DD is definitely a napper but didn't nap well at first when preschool began in August. I started sending her lovey and voila, she naps much better now.
It took my older son 4 solid weeks of 2 days a week to settle in. It was heartwrenching, but, like you, I knew we both needed it. I think one the things that is so hard with part time is that there are big chunks of days in between. DS went tues/thurs which meant there were 4 days in between every week. I think that made the transition longer. My younger son goes 5 days to a shorter day and the transition was only about 2 weeks. I would give it at least 3 weeks. If it's not better in a month, reevaluate.
Also, keep in mind that if she is not ready now that doesn't mean she won't ever be. I have a good friend who tried to transition her daughter (she worked) from f/t nanny to daycare and it was a night mare. They gave her some time and tried again (I *think* it was like 9 months) and the 2nd time it was a completely different experience.