Separation Anxiety in my 2 yr old DD..advice please

Sorry this is so long...
I rarely, if ever post, but I'm having trouble with my daughter's recent separation anxiety.

DD is 2 and has been at the same daycare for two years. She aged out of the program and will be starting a new daycare in September, along with a few of the same children she was with at her old school.

The new daycare has summer camp and she's going for a few weeks (including this week) to get used to the new environment.

The first two days were fine, but the third day's drop off was horrific! She refused to let me go and this morning was worse. However, about an hour after I dropped her off (both days), I called her teacher to see how DD was and she said that DD was playing quietly with one of the other children and has been having a great time with the water and art activities they've been doing.

Am I scarring my DD for life? She's been so clingy over the past couple of days. And, last night I heard her having a nightmare about missing me. :(

Please advise. Thanks!

Separation Anxiety in my 2 yr old DD..advice please

Change is hard at that age but, give it some time and she will adapt.

My son got extra clingy around 2 as well - he didn't have to change daycares but, it took a good week around that time when he had to change classrooms at his daycare.

Re: Separation Anxiety in my 2 yr old DD..advice please

Thanks! :)

She always gets a little clingy at the beginning of the school year, but nothing like yesterday and today. It is a completely new environment, new teachers, routine, etc. I guess it's to be expected.

Re: Separation Anxiety in my 2 yr old DD..advice please

Normal behavior unfortunately. You proabably are being traumatized more than her. Hang in there. I know it breaks your heart to see them that distressed.

I would also ask the teacher how long after you leave does she settle.

Re: Separation Anxiety in my 2 yr old DD..advice please

I know, right?! I was in tears the whole way home.

Her teacher said DD began to calm down about 10 minutes after I left and one of the other little boys showed up to play. When I called, she said they were sitting in a corner playing with one of the musical books he brought. :)

Thanks!!

Message edited 6/27/2013 9:36:11 AM.

Separation Anxiety in my 2 yr old DD..advice please

I've left daycare many times in tears to call later to find out that DS is his normal self. Like pp said - it's harder on you than it is on them.

Separation Anxiety in my 2 yr old DD..advice please

Thanks, ladies!! :)

Re: Separation Anxiety in my 2 yr old DD..advice please

OP, I could have written your posts verbatim!! My DS (2.5) just started going to day care last week and only goes 2 days a week. The first few times were fine... he wasn't upset when I left, he was busy playing, etc. This morning, however, was horrible! He would not let go of me, he was crying and following me when I tried to walk toward the door, just a mess. I felt SO BAD leaving him. After 10-15 mins of trying to calm him down, I HAD to go to work, so I just walked out. As soon as I got in my car, I burst into tears and cried all the way to work.
I called a half hour later to see if he was ok and his teacher reassured me that he was FINE right after I left and had just finished eating breakfast. But UGH it is so unbelievably hard to leave him like that.

Obviously I don't have any advice for you, but just wanted you to know you're not alone!! Here's to hoping it gets easier!

Re: Separation Anxiety in my 2 yr old DD..advice please

Thanks, Dee0522!

Today was a little better...she didn't start crying until we got inside the daycare. And...I managed (gulp) to keep it together.
:)

According to some other "veterans" it's completely normal...it's just so hard to see them so upset.

Hang in there!!