[arthymom]

Dd was at daycare alone today, first time, for a few hours.

She was totally fine there and didn't cry at all. When we got into the car the tears started and she was a mess for a 1/2 hour and then didn't want to nap.

Anyone else have this happen? Advice? Next week we go full time.

Thanks,

[JustBarbara]

Oh I think this is just a reaction to a change in routine. I really would not worry about it. Once she is there full-time and with all the other kiddos I'm sure it will be better. I mean who wants to leave half-way through the day - I don't mean to be glib but any time I have to pu DS early for a ped appt or whatever he does not like it. Why? Because everyone is taking a nap, playing outside, playing inside, having snack - you name it and they can feel like they are missing out on something. DS almost 21 months - every time I put him in his car-seat he calls out the name of his best friend in daycare so I have to quietly tell him no, we are going to xx and you can see her on Monday when we go to 'school'. Hang in there - the transition will take a few days. For both of you ;-)

[Tavidad]

Our son did that for the first couple of months of nursery school. Although, in our case, it was a gradual process, going from complete crying from drop off to pick up, until now when he's more or less happy all the time.

I think it's just crying out the stress of not having mom around, of being scared that you wouldn't come back, etc. Once she gets used to you coming and going, she'll relax.

[KKR213]

It could be that she was having a good time and didn't want to leave!

My son is 2 and started being really clingy at drop offs the week before last. I felt so bad until last Wednesday when I went to pick him up and he didn't want to leave! I pick him up a little after 5 and there are a lot of kids still there playing. I have had to coax him to put his jacket on.

Good luck next week!

[cyntil8ing]

I look at it as a good thing attachment-wise. She was probably a bit tense and on "best behavior" at daycare because she was around strangers and everything was new. Once she was back with her people, she could relax and all of the stress just came out as tears.

It will get better for both of you as she gets used to the routine.

[CEB]

Slightly different situation but we still have the "not so thrilled to see parents come home and nanny leave" on many days (and she has been coming every week day since August). It does not make you feel very good but I do believe its because he is involved in playing with K (his nanny) and finds DH (who gets always is the first one home) to be a disruption at first. It does not last long, and he does not show signs of missing her on weekends etc.

[ChristyQO]

Annie would cry when DH dropped her off. This happened for the first week. Then she would LOSE it when I picked her up!! I mean hysterically cry and hit me. She would race over to me, then cry and hit me. THat lasted just over a week. Now she is fine and loves to be at daycare, but loves to come home too!!!
Good luck!

[my2boops]

I've noticed that when I drop my daughter off in the church nursery, she also cries when I pick her up! I think it is just their age. My 4 year old son cried for 1 1/2 years when we dropped him off for preschool. He is finally getting adjusted!

Good luck!

[arthymom]

Thank you all for responding!

And K. lol my son did the same thing too...I had totally forgotten until you mentioned it. But he cried at dropoff, for years, and loved his program.

Thank you all for sharing your stories...It is another change and she of course will adjust. I need to stop berating myself for working!!!

[beachdreams]

A lot of that is also stress relied because remember your new baby is not use to that much stimulization. I remember when Bailey first went to daycare she about fell asleep in her food she was so tired. She was also very irritable when they had told me she had been so happy all day. It took her a few weeks to get settled into a routine there.

Taylor went to daycare one day to get a feel for it while I was off and she had the same exact experience. Just give it some time and try not to let it upset you.