Just another manic Monday

[wahooMOM13]

Jan 9, 2017 20:43:09 GMT -5 sanibel21 said:

Cue "My first baby's first day of preschool is tomorrow" freakout.... Any helpful drop-off tips?? How do I make this easy for her?? She's so attached and pretty shy/slow to warm up, maybe even a little anxious. (I wonder where that came from?!?!) She's been home with me her whole life. Gah!

Just be straightforward with her about the day. You'll walk her in and get her settled and say bye and be back before she knows it. She'll have lots of fun with her teachers and the other kids! Don't drag the goodbye out. The teachers will be good at distracting her and comforting her . Hope you all both have a good day!!

ETA- not sure what their policy is but my DD1's first preschool teacher sent me some pics of her happy and playing the first few days. Maybe ask if they could do that?

[britta]

Jan 9, 2017 20:43:09 GMT -5 sanibel21 said:

Cue "My first baby's first day of preschool is tomorrow" freakout.... Any helpful drop-off tips?? How do I make this easy for her?? She's so attached and pretty shy/slow to warm up, maybe even a little anxious. (I wonder where that came from?!?!) She's been home with me her whole life. Gah!

How old is she? 2, right?

What I do/have done has varied based on his age, but +1 to don't sneak off. When DS1 was 2 and starting to have more concept of time, I would tell him, "Mom is going _____ (to work, the doctor, home to do laundry, whatever). I'll come back after you have snack time. Remember, you'll have breakfast then circle time then lunch and nap and then snack and mom will be back." We also developed a goodbye routine that we do every day at drop off, so he knows that I leave after he gets a kiss, hug, and an ugga-muggy. On really tough days, the teachers usually step in to help and try to provide some distraction-inviting him to an activity or pulling out a toy he likes. We also sign the Daniel Tiger song about grown ups coming back.

It will get easier. In fact, she will most likely learn to love it. Try to remember they're usually putting on a show for us too. DS1 had some really tough, screaming, sobbing to the point of gagging drop offs and yet his teachers have said it never lasts more than 5 minutes tops. Our pediatrician has always told us, the best thing you can do for separation anxiety is to show them you'll always come back. It builds their confidence in themselves and in you, and in the people that are caring for them-which is important. It's important for kids to learn that there are other people out there who can love them and care for them and keep them safe, besides their parents.

[britta]

On the subject of daycare/preschool, DS2 did great today! He slept and ate well and was smiley when I picked him up.

Here's a pic of him in the same onesie DS1 wore on his first day of school. (Of course I couldn't get him to smile here) PDQ.
*poof*

[sanibel21]

Thanks guys. It all sounds in line with what I've read and heard and am going to try so hard to do. I wish I knew exactly what the last activity was to tell her when I'd be back. She's 2 years and 9 months. She's usually very attached, but has been very positive and excited about this during every conversation we've had about it so maybe she'll surprise. This is so new to me, I can't believe it's time for this.