Good news to share on first day of daycare

[Anonymous]

I thought I would cry/tear up when I drop off 2 year old DS at full day daycare the first day yesterday, somehow I didn't cry because my mind went blank (couldn't sleep well the night before, was worried too much) & DS didn't cry at dropoff. I found myself have no reason to cry at all. And, when I picked him up, I saw him playing well inside laughing & smiling. And, I ask him you want to come again today Tuesday, he says yes with a big smile. Even though he cries when I drop him off today, but it was only for a minute or less. I saw him stop crying & got distracted by toys immediately after I am gone through the door window. I love those door window that I can peep through. So overall, it has been going a lot better than I expect. And, I hear that the next Monday could be a big challenge, and I hope that he still loves to go to daycare after this weekend. Any helpful tips for first weekend of daycare?

[Anonymous]

That’s so great, OP! Maybe keep things on the calm side and stick to your usual routine this weekend - daycare/preschool wore my kids out, especially at first. Hope things continue to go well for you!

[Anonymous]

What would you have done if he said he did not want to go back the next day?

[Anonymous]

We are planning to enroll our two year this August and are terribly worried about how she will transition and whether we will be strong enough to see her cry, potentially not eat or rest well. She has been cared for at home by grandparents since she was 3 months and does not see many kids throughout the year.

Starting to get cold feet, but I guess we will have to give it a try.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are planning to enroll our two year this August and are terribly worried about how she will transition and whether we will be strong enough to see her cry, potentially not eat or rest well. She has been cared for at home by grandparents since she was 3 months and does not see many kids throughout the year.

Starting to get cold feet, but I guess we will have to give it a try.

OP here. DS has been cared for at home by grandparents since he was 3 months old & does not see many kids as well, so we have similar background here. Even though he does not eat or rest as well as at home, but he is doing awesome & happy (no tears) so far at daycare. DS is not shy, and he loves to play with little/older kids, loves to play with toys, loves to be surrounded by kids & people, maybe that is why he still wants to go to daycare even though he misses mommy & hates to say goodbye to mommy/daddy. We do a lot of research & find one that is play-based, structured, and sounds like a fun environment. And, I hope that your DD will do well too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What would you have done if he said he did not want to go back the next day?

Agree. It’s not a choice he gets to make, so don’t make it sound like one!! This becomes super important once kids near 3 and develop more sophisticated negotiation tactics.

—former preschool teacher

[Anonymous]

Talk over the weekend about specific things: “You can have lunch with Mason in Monday!” “Does Ms. Jenna like Legos?”