Newbie with questions about daycare transition

Re: Newbie with questions about daycare transition

• BabyHope2013 member

  May 2014

  For my son and I, on his first week DH did drop off and I did not see him until pick up after work. However, for the first three days I did call or text our daycare provider to see how he was doing because I was worried he would miss me. (We are at an in-home center) Looking back, the transition was harder on me than DS. 

  
  

  If your DS is having issues with seperation anxiety, it might be better to go cold turkey. Just think that if you come back and then leave again, your daycare provider will have to go about distracting him and calming him down twice. Perhaps you could stop in and see him, without him seeing you. Not sure how your daycare is set up. Or could you call and check in to see how he is doing. 

  
  

  My experience with our daycare is that once we leave, DS gets so caught up in playing with the toys, other kids and the general routine of his day that he doesn't even have time to miss us. 

  
  

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• jlaOK member

  May 2014

  My DS moved from an in-home to a center at 8.5 months.  I was worried about his transition because he was the only baby at the in-home and got a lot of one-on-one time.  I took him for a couple of mornings to hangout in the class room with me there.  It was really a great time to meet the teachers, get used to their routine, and watch DS interact with his new friends.  He had a little trouble napping at first but other than that the transition was great.
  

  

                                                

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• RedDDD member

  May 2014

  IMO I would not check in on him or at least not check in so that he can see you.  My kids once they see me its all over and then leaving is an issue all over again.  If you are able to check in and see him without him seeing you that might be nice.  I think you will notice it will take a couple of weeks and then it will be fine.  Just keep your routine as normal as possible.  Send him with his favorite blankie or lovey.  DS clinged to one of the teachers for the first few days and every time I picked him up he had tears on his cheeks but then one day I walked in to pick him up and he just looked at me and went back to playing. Maybe the center will call you and let you know how he is doing.  I remember the first few days when we switched DC's they would shoot me an email and let me know he was ok.  Or I would call and of course they would say he stopped crying in two minutes etc....GL!

   

  

  
  

  
  

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• FinallyMrsS member

  May 2014

  Thank you so much ladies! Wonderful advice!

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• emberlee3 member

  May 2014

  DD started daycare at 10.5 months, at the peak of separation anxiety for her. Her teacher was wonderful and basically held her nonstop for a few days.
  
  Does your LO have a favorite song? My kids were both very particular about who they would take bottles from. Singing their favorite lullaby really helped them relax and eat with a new person.

  DS born 8/8/09 and DD born 6/12/12.
  

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• mlee116 member

  May 2014

  My son started at DC around this same age and yes, his separation anxiety was high.  It actually went better than I anticipated though.  He cried the first few days and then was ok a few minutes after I left.  Once he got busy playing with all his new friends, he was fine.

  
  

  I had a flexible job at the time, so I would either take him in a little later or go pick him up early the first week or so.  I think this was more for my peace of mind more than anything.  I don't think I'd go visit though because its hard for them to say goodbye twice and it would be confusing to him.  After awhile, he fell right into their little routine and loved it!

  

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