Hard Morning

Perhaps you could have her draw a picture for the old provider. I understand it might not get to her given the circumstances, but it might make your daughter feel better. I used to do in home daycare when our children with little and I would have the kids draw or paint something for their parents while they were at work.

As hard as it may be, it may take a few weeks before she forgets about the other provider, but at two memories do fade. Best wishes.

I feel for you. I don't have any advice except time will help once she gets to know the other kids and the new daycare provider. We put my daughter in a Montessori pre-school at 2 1/2 after being at an in-home daycare since she was 3 months also. It was hard at first and she was very quiet and shy and would cry on the way there for a few days then in a month she was playing with the other kids and hugging the teachers goodbye. Maybe let her bring something comforting with her that is familiar to her to daycare. A favorite blanket, toy, doll, etc.

Hope your day goes better.

M.

Wow. I had the same question the other day and almost felt like I was reading my own request. My daughter, also 2 years old, is in the exact same situation. She has been at her new in-home daycare for a little while now and this week has been the best by far. She hasn't clinged to me screaming as I walk out the door for the past 2 days! I tried a few differnt things and they may or may not work, but it is always worth a try. I had her take her favorite blanket, something of mine, a little picture book that had pics of myself, my husband, her brother and aunts, uncles any family member that she is close with. My husband and I have also been taking turns calling her in the morning.
The new provider was noticing that she was just having the issues in the morning, but after her nap she was doing good. I started putting her to bed earlier. She has allergies, and was taking benedryl in the morning which I knew would also be making her sleepy so I stopped giving that to her in the morning as well. My husband and I are not above bribing either. We preped her this weekend and told her that she would have a suprise if she didn't cry in the mornings when she was dropped off. I don't know if any of the things we tried was what worked, or she just got used to the kids and the new provider. I think that it lessend my feelings of guilt & anxiety knowing that I was trying everything that I could to make it better for her.
I did read that children experience separation anxiety around the age of 2, but couldn't find any good ideas for this stage. Good Luck to you and if I have any responses to my question, I will send them on to you.
C.

Remember she is two years old-you really don't need to give her a large explanation to the changes you have made-a simple "it is time for change" is good-let her know that when she begins school there will be lots of changes she will go through. If it was the right thing to do then you can calm yourself with that knowledge-yes it hurts to make changes but it will work out for everyone in time. I made several changes when my children were very young and it was also necessary and yes the care givers were great but the changes needed to be done and it was hurtful-so go out with a smile on your face and know it will all be fine very soon. Don't talk about any changes you have done in front of any of your children-save it for your private time with your spouse-sometimes things are accidentally said and that can hurt feelings. Be careful.Remember it is really no one else's business why you do things just know if it feels right then it is.Your children must always be safe, well fed and comfortable and if something does not work-then change it. Life is too short not to take care of them!

Hi C.,

As a home child care provider myself I can totally relate. I just started a little girl in the evenings for about 4 hours a night (mom and dad work night shifts). The 1st week all she did was cry, and ALLL the time. The second week wasn't as bad but it was still bad. Now we are on the 3rd week and she didn't cry when her mother left yesterday after dropping her off. I could tell she was getting a little more comfortable because she is trying to test the boundaries now.

Just give her some time to get adjusted, it's harder on us the parents then it is the child. Before you know it she will be hitting the door running.

Try to tell her that there wasn't anymore for her to learn or do at the other sitters house, so you're taking her to the new one so she'll have lots more new things to do and learn. Also tell her that the other kids at the new place wanted her to start going there because they heard she's such a nice girl and they needed someone just like her to play with.