Help.. Tips for Mom Going Back to Work.. Kids Starting Daycare

Maybe take the kids to daycare a few days before you go back to work. You can go shopping, or just enjoy the silence and that way you can get a feel for how it will be when dropping them off. The best thing to do is get them excited about going and just drop them off, kiss them and leave. the morning routine will have to work out just try to get everything laid out the night before so you are not running around in the morning. If you are stressed they will be also. good Luck

The first couple drops offs will most likely be difficult (on all of you), but try to tell your slef that one the kids are comfortable with the environment, they are going to love it!! Some where new with friends to play with and new activities.

I do my best to have everythig ready for the morning the night before...clothes, lunches, packs of diapers ect and that helps a ton. I also put my 3 year old to work when need be. I have her get the shoes out of the closet and have her put her jacket on. Anything to keep them "out of trouble" and to help scoot us along.

Good luck!

The biggest tip I have is be organized. Get everything that you possibly can ready the night before. Any bags that need to go to school...have them packed and by the door. Have clothes laid out and shoes by the door. Have breakfast set out. I have sippy cups filled in the frige. We usually take our breakfast to school with us. Sometimes my 5 year old eats in the car. Keep breakfast simple. We do granola bars and a banana or apple slices. Sometims an applesauce cup and/or yogurt. Mini bagels are good too. Most daycares also give the kids a snack about 9:30am.

Drop off-- you just have to go. It really is harder if they are upset and you hang around. Drop them off, hang up their coats, give any necessary information to the teachers, give them a kiss and then go. They won't cry for long, I promise!

Hello Lisa,

Kristan's idea is great. start them a few days early.
write down everything you have to do in order to get out the door. start doing that everyday (except taking the kids to daycare if they're not signed up yet)basically, do a dry run through your routine.

make sure the kids are going to bed on time.
prepare your car with snacks, bottled water, etc.
if they're used to watching a program in the morning, get a video and play it at the time you need it.
I went back to work almost a year ago and I'm still getting used to it. My kids are much older but I figured out that taking an extra 30 seconds with each of them in the morning, makes it for a much better day. when I wake them up I sing them a very short song basically saying 'good morning, good morning, I love you, God Bless you, I love you....'
I hug them, kiss them, rub their backs, feet and legs. it takes about 30 seconds and a lot of tension is released and then we get moving.
Good luck! ~E~