Day Care Blues.... barelybreathing: Ah.....my two year old daughter and I started day care this week.
:'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'(
First time for her. The guilt I felt was just "intense". It wouldn't be so bad if her little life was normal, but it is not.
Picked her up on Monday and she was sitting at a table with her head in her hands crying. I called her name, she looked up and just was so relieved to see me.
"I can't like this place mommy."
"I want to go home mommy."
"Get my jacket, my blanket, my bag."
"I want to go now."
I know this is all normal for kids starting day care for the first time, but due to my circumstances (DIVORCE), I feel such guilt. What a tough week this has been for both of us.
Did I mention how expensive it is too? Child support....gone, all to day care, every last cent.
Arghhh.......
Single "solo" parents rock. :(
BB
Re: Day Care Blues.... Stephanie04: BB,
My son is 2 and about once a week or so I drop him off at his babysitter's house. He knows the neighborhood she lives in and when we're close, he starts saying that he doesn't want to go. He clings to me like a little monkey when we get there and it takes about 15 minutes for me to be able to leave him. Once I leave, though, the babysitter says that he is fine within a minute and that he has a good time. Part of this is just their age...this is new for my son even though he has been going there since he was 4 months. And part of it is the divorce I'm sure. While my son doesn't really know what has happened to his family, he does know that things have changed.
I can totally relate to your feelings of guilt and pain of leaving your daughter in daycare this week. Mom's seem to be the experts at feeling guilt enough for everybody. The first week is the hardest...soon enough she will not have time to kiss you goodbye when you drop her off. Be strong! She'll be okay! :) ;D
Re: Day Care Blues.... luvbai: My daughter has been in day care since she was 1 1/2. Steph is right the first week is the worst. Then the first year is bad because they have a runny nose all year long it seems. After that they build up an immunity to the bug's that float around everywhere. She hasn't had even a cough for over a year.
When her & I moved out in Oct of last year, daycare was rough again! But I was patient, it killed me & I left crying just as many times as she, but now were back to normal again.
The trick is to find a good Day Care. Are you happy with the one that you got? I love mine & would reconmend it to anyone. My daughter loves it too....
Re: Day Care Blues.... Anna: Hi BB -
Sorry you are feeling stress about this. I know how hard it is. I quit teaching when my first daughter was born to stay home with her, but when we moved to the mountains, my ex H wanted me to go back to work. I got a job as the director of Montessori school/child care center. Putting my 18 month old in daycare was one of the hardest things I've ever done, and I was RIGHT THERE! My office was literally 6 feet from the toddler room. I cried at night as I thought about dropping her off, and she struggled with the transition too. But kids are resilient and adapt to the new routine quickly, as long as they feel safe and loved. I know you provide that for her. The key definitely is loving caregivers and a safe and fun environment. If you are comfortable with the environment, she will be too. She can sense your feelings of uneasiness and guilt, probably. BB, you are a great mother, and are doing what you need to do for the well being of your little family. I'll keep you in my prayers, but know that it does get easier, and it will provide her some stability and a sense of routine too!
Re: Day Care Blues.... barelybreathing: Thanks gals!
She and I are doing better. The concept is catching on to her. It's a great daycare with a regional wide reputation. So that puts me at ease. Plus the teacher turnover is 0%! Happy teachers make for happy students! I still get the"I can't like this place" bit.
Luvbai, runny nose huh? Well, my daughter has never been real sick from the day she born. She never had to get on antibiotics. First day at daycare....runny nose. Goes to show you that the theory is correct. Runny noses everywhere. Ay ay ay.
Yet another transition/hurdle I have tackled in my divorce endeavor. Next one, place of my own........ :)
Thanks again for the support ladies. It helps.
BB
