Is it better to get a babysitter come to your house or drop off somewhere for first time separation?

[Anonymous]

DD is turning 2 and has never been dropped off anywhere before. I’m a SAHM and she won’t even stay with grandparents when they visit. We do have a PT nanny that has helped me out since DD was born. She used to be our FT nanny for my older kids when I used to work.

I want to start working out and help prep her for preschool next year.

Is it better to get a babysitter to come to the house or try a Moms day out type program?

It would be amazing if I could use a gym daycare. I just don’t see that going well. DH tried once and the childcare supervisor had to be called and found DH because DD was hysterical. This was 3 months ago.

[Anonymous]

it's hard to say. I'm a nanny and for kids with separation anxiety, I find getting out of the house right away...going for a walk or on an outing, to be the best solution for them. They feel less fearful or whatever in neutral territory and it's a nice distraction. Often when we get back to the house after that they'll be fine, whereas if we had never left, they might still be teary eyed.

[Anonymous]

Either way can work. The most important part will be doing it regularly. Ideally you would start by dropping her off every day for a short time (say, 30 minutes) and gradually extend the time apart.

[Anonymous]

Can you try taking your 2 year old to the gym WITH the older kids? That's how my 2 year old adjusted. She clung to her 5 year old sister the first few times, and now she's able to go on her own, no problem.

[Anonymous]

Drop off somewhere they don't associate with mom and make it quick. Quick is key.

Also, it's probably a good idea to start dropping off now to prepare for preschool.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can you try taking your 2 year old to the gym WITH the older kids? That's how my 2 year old adjusted. She clung to her 5 year old sister the first few times, and now she's able to go on her own, no problem.

This. 2yos are frequently prone so attachment anxiety, so having an older sibling to follow around makes the adjustment much easier.