Hello Moms, My DD is 15 months and had the same sitter for just over 10 months. They had an extremely strong bond. I recently had to find a new sitter because my old one needs a FT job (she works for us 3 days each week). I couldn't find anyone who could do the hours I needed so I have 2 sitters splitting 2 of the days and the other day is fully covered by one of them. It's only been just over a week and it's been a little bit rocky so far. My baby is not eating her full breakfast like she used to, she eats less at lunch and her naps are shorter than usual. I'm worried this will affect her long term but I'm hoping it's just something she needs to adjust to. This is a short term solution until I find just one sitter to cover the 3 days or she may go to a local daycare that many rave about. Am I causing any emotional issues by putting my daughter through this? She seemed a little different when I came home last night. Not as happy and a little overly rambunctious. I'm sure I'm partly just an overly worried 1st time mom, but I also have to think about her best interests. Am I confusing her with the 2 sitters? Will this affect her negatively? Please help with any advice or experiences you have. Thanks!!
Relax momma.
It will not affect her negatively, she's just adjusting to a new schedule, new 'teacher', etc. That all takes time and she can't tell you that. As for the eating, it could be that the new sitter isn't as relaxed as the previous, or isn't making eating time as fun.
M.
It's probably not optimal and I'd have stressed too but a friend's kids had so many nanny switches at one point I was a bit horrified (as a 1st time mom) and now a couple of years later, they seem absolutely fine. So I wouldn't worry too much. Your daughter definitely won't remember this and it'll be a little blip in your memory too.
I think when kids are young they are really strong and probably get adjusted to change faster than us adults. I think the younger the child the less traumatic it can be. They do go through an adjustment period but usually it does not last too long. I think change is more traumatic for the mom than it is for the child.
Yeah but only for a little bit. Nothing to worry about. Helps them to adjust to change. I had to switch daycares on my daughter cause where she initially went the Director was an idiot. It took about 2 weeks for her to get adjusted. She'll be fine.
Sure, it can be traumatic but she will get over it. I changed daycare providers when my oldest was a year old, and it took about a week for her to adjust to the new sitter. It is not a longterm problem or a lifelong trauma. You will not cause permanent emotional damage. She will adjust to the new schedule.
Yes, changing sitters is disruptive for a while (like a few weeks) but not traumatic in the long term.
Change is hard for children and that routine sounds unsettled. There is going to be a rocky period in any change - for good or bad.
It'll take at least a week or two for her to fully adjust to these new sitters. She won't be traumatized for life but definitely minimize the change of sitters as much as possible since constancy in caregivers is very important at such a young age.
