If your toddler cried when starting day care - please come in

I'm a FTWM and day care is new to us because my 3 yr old DS has always been watched by family. My sister had to be put on bed rest for her pregnancy so she's not able to watch him anymore (she had him 3x per week). So we started day care 2 weeks ago. DS cries EVERY morning at drop off and it absolutely kills me. I hang back for a few minutes every morning and peak in to make sure he's stopped crying and he always stops fairly quickly but that initial dropp off...the tears, the "mommy are you coming back?" questions, the nervousness....it breaks my heart. If your child started day care as a toddler, how long did the crying last? How long until they got used to it? My stomach is in knots daily.

Re: If your toddler cried when starting day care - please come in

It's completely normal. I know it breaks our heart but the tears usually stop within minutes of our departure. When my 2 year old was having a hard time with the transition to preschool, I would send her in with a favorite book or sometimes she would wear something of mine. That helped her a lot.

If your toddler cried when starting day care - please come in

Normal. DS is 20M and has been in daycare since 8 weeks. He still has days he cries and the occasional leg grabbign screaming day.

They stop within minutes of us leavign believe me. I also think DS is better on the days more kids are there....he is one of the early kids so once everyone else gets there and the real fun starts he could care less about us.

I am the one who picks up and I sneak in to see him playing and he is havign a ball so I know he's fine there.

If your toddler cried when starting day care - please come in

It's completely normal. My Ds is 3 1/2 and started daycare at 11 weeks and just stopped crying at drop off (he started crying when he was 2 or so). He's fine by the time I'm out the door.

Re: If your toddler cried when starting day care - please come in

Thank you girls so much! I just feel like I'm traumatizing him and it kills me.....know what I mean?

Re: If your toddler cried when starting day care - please come in

Posted by Daisy32

Thank you girls so much! I just feel like I'm traumatizing him and it kills me.....know what I mean?

Re: If your toddler cried when starting day care - please come in

Posted by ali120206

Posted by Daisy32

Thank you girls so much! I just feel like I'm traumatizing him and it kills me.....know what I mean?

Yes - it's much harder on you than it is on him.

Soon he'll be telling you with excitement about his day and his friends!

If your toddler cried when starting day care - please come in

The worst thing you can do is hang around make the goodbye quick and get out of there! Have the same routine when dropping them off.

What time do you drop him off? DD goes early (6:30) and they don't eat breakfast for about an hour. I give her a snack when she gets there (usually a banana or a little cup of cheerios) That definitely helps

Re: If your toddler cried when starting day care - please come in

DS#2 started the toddler class at our preschool before he turned 2. We started him off at 3 hrs a day and he was a crying mess. He cried for 3 weeks. I almost quit my part time job over it. I felt terrible everyday.

1 year later, he is thriving. He goes to preschool 9-3 daily and loves his teachers and classmates. He has so much fun and is learning tons.

So glad I did not quit my job and I did not pull him out. The first few weeks may be rough but I promise it gets better.

Re: If your toddler cried when starting day care - please come in

Thank you girls sooo much!