Willow starts daycare on Monday if all goes well. Right now she's napping and I'm trying not to think " Go in there and have your last nap time cuddle".
There will be weekends
and holidays
and she's going to love it. Her buddy F is there. The food is apparently great. It is NOT a preschool. She loves other kids. We'll have evenings to swim and eat dinner and cuddle.
This has been the best time of my life so while I'm sure she'll do great, I'm sad. Just right now.
But my mom says if the decision doesn't seem right after a month, I should go with my gut. And I will. I think that I am doing this for all the right reasons because it's best for Willow and will allow me to see the other kids even when they are having fun at camp during the day. No more missing all my Nature Girl time.
If you have any hugs post them ( I' talking to my moms mostly! ) I could use one.
I know it'll be another adventure. I'll be ready -- soon : )
6 comments:
The only time I've made a real mistake was when I didn't listen to my heart. Your mom is right. Give her a chance and then decide ... your heart will tell you what you should do. Big hug ... Oma
Thanks Oma. I won't know what is best until we try. I like the way you mentioned that I should give HER a chance.
(HUGS) Yes, Trust your gut, and go in understanding the stages you'll go through..
A few things I've learned from doing child care (I seem to be the go to girl for part time care when toddlers are transitioning from home to other care - me, then a bigger daycare or preschool) is that kids go through several stages. The first stage is getting over the seperation anxiety with the caregiver. This happens pretty quickly - within the first week; then its tears at the door and they settle into the rhythm of the day this is another couple of weeks. The next stage is everything going fine with me, but a lot of clinginess or sassiness with mama in the evening. Then the clinginess passes and they're looking forward to coming ...or they aren't, and the care set up just isn't a good fit, or they aren't ready for the seperation (and the "they aren't ready" has only happened once), part time is often not a good fit unless its just mornings or just afternoons, not knowing what day they'll be in daycare is hard on many kids). For part time this takes about 6 weeks to move through. It is faster when you're doing it full time - so you'll know by the end of the month. Just be ready for the clingy nights and rough sleeping/all night nursing. If you don't expect it you might think there's something awful going on.
(Hugs)
Thanks - I am expecting/dreading to up all nights and that's one of the reasons why I'm not starting back full time for two weeks.
Thank you for outlining that so clearly - it makes sense. What about Mama's missing toddlers : ) When do WE get over it?
Well as long as your baby is sad and unsettled it's going to hurt and you'll be *really* anxious. Be really open with your caregivers about milestones. If it's going to break your heart to not be the person there when she speaks her first sentence tell them you do not want to hear about milestones! A good provider will respect that and take a "whatever "first" happens at daycare stays at daycare" stance. When she settles in it's going to be a wistful time.
Oh - a big thing to watch for - if she doesn't want to come home at the end of the day - that is not a good sign, even though it might seem like it is. It means the rhythm of the day is not working for her because they aren't preparing her for transitions - either it's too chaotic in general, or she is getting lost in the shuffle. If this happens talk with them to get a handle on why and weigh it into decisionmaking.
That's a good point about the transitions - I would not have thought of that. We're going to try and keep to a very regular schedule. I have to work later shifts sometimes but I think we'll be able to have someone there at the same time every day. I'll keep an eye out for this.
Such thoughtful suggestions - much appreciated.
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