I actually have to young kids that will be affected by this, but it will be most devestating to my still breastfed 18 month old daughter, I am not in a position where I can gradually get them use to being in a daycare full of strangers, that is just not possible, I actually have to send them there without them having much knowledge of the fact that they are going to stay there all day, without mommy around, I am scared for them, I know how tempermental she can get when she cant be with mommy, this will be the first time she is with complete strangers, what can I do to help her and what can I do to ease my own feelings of distress? thank you
wedding countdown clock
wedding countdown clock
2 Comments Received
January 6th, 2010 @12:47 am
talk with the carers at the childcare centre. you should be able to call during the day to check they are doing ok.
best way is just explain where they are going for the day and that you had to go to work, and you will be back in the afternoon.
it will probably be really hard (tears all around) but if you stick to your guns it wont take long before she realises taht childcare can be fun and that you are definately coming back to pick her up.
perhaps you can buy a doll/stuffed toy/blanket that she can have with her during the day to keep her company. something special and comforting
dont forget to spend some quality time in the afternoon with the children discussing how your and their day went etc
good luck.
January 8th, 2010 @11:53 am
I am a mother of a two and a half year old and trust me I know what you are going through. Every child is different and you as a mother know your child the best, better than anyone, so you will ultimately know what to do with your children. All I can say is the first day will be the hardest for everyone. Turning your back to leave will be one of the hardest things you will do as a mother, that said it does get so much easier the next day!
Find out if you can stay with your children until they are comfortable, even if you have to take your children there an hour earlier or even the day before you return to work. Seeing that you are there will help them relax and in turn help you to do the same. When they have shown a little independence eg; let go of your leg, then you just have to calmly but firmly say that you will be back to pick them up later in the day or tell them the time you will pick them up. If you say you’ll be back soon or in a minute, which is often said, they really will think you will be back in a matter of minutes. Children are really perceptive and if you have ever said “i’ll be back in a minute” or “i’ll be back soon” before, and you were true to your word, they will remember. I have learnt from my mistake having left my child at her nanna’s for five minutes to go the bank and I said i’ll be back in a minute and I was, a few weeks later I said the same thing and I got held up at the bank and I was half an hour. I got home to my very distressed mother who had told me after five minutes she was asking for me and after ten she was crying for me at the front door and was inconsolible.
I know it’s really hard and you will feel sooooo bad but honestly, the best advice I can give you is to tell them you will pick them up, or if someone else is picking them up tell them that that person is picking them up. It won’t take long for them to adjust and after a week they’ll be saying “I want to go back ” after you have just picked them up. Trust me they have so much fun there. I hope I helped and good luck!
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