Another Daycare Drama
This morning Cu Dao didn’t get up until 7:30. He was an hour and a half late, but I am still on vacation so we let him slept in a bit. After feeding him and all, I took him to daycare. He started to cry as soon as we got to the door. After checking him in, I realized that I forgot his food. So I went back home to get it. When I returned, he was still crying (though not as hard as in the morning) on one of the teachers arm while the rest of the kids gather around playing. I just handed the food and left without him knowing I was there.
Since Duke started daycare, he had more time off than being in class, which makes getting used to daycare a bit more challenging. I feel bad for the teachers and I hope that they are not frustrated even though they seem to be very patience. Even though I am still on vacation, I still need to send him off to daycare so that he could make the transition faster.
Besides, I need to organize the house, something hard to accomplish with Duke around. The place is now neat and clean as a result of a whole day spent. It’s time to kick back with Miles.
I feel bad for Duke. It’s hard to send him to daycare that age when he was used to staying home with grandma all these months. Just ask the teacher if they have advice for you to work with him at home so that he can get over the fear. I am sure they will give you some thoughts.
I think you can also stay with him the first 10-15 minutes at daycare (with teacher’s permission, of course) for him to establish that kind of comfort, then help him to play with other kids, then leave. You can lessen the time each day, if needed.
Also, make it consistent for him. Perhaps follow a schedule, if you need to drop him off by 8 am on the days you go to work, so just drop him off at the same time even on the day you are off. Kids work better with a schedule, their body can get used to a predictable time.
Get him excited about picking an outfit for school, or pick his favorite food for school the night before.
Just a few thoughts…not sure if they will work.
Thanks msnguyen for the great advice. I’ll talk to the teachers and see what we do you help him. It’s really heartbreaking to hear him cry when I walk out.
MsNguyen advice sounds good! ;)
Didn’t work. Duke hang on to me the whole time and refused to play or even allowed me to calm him down. The good thing was the teacher was able to settle him down half an hour after I left. I came to pick him up a bit early today and was was just chilling in is rocking bed.