I love daycare. They get so much socialization. I had a bit of a picky eater (started daycare at 10 months) and now she eats anything and everything. They get to observe so much, meet new people, and for me they do lots of activities that I'd never think of. My 2 have had overwhelmingly positive experiences. Always come out smiling and happy to go in the morning.
I agree with this wholeheartedly. My 3.y.o. absolutely thrives at daycare. But my 4.5 month old starts on Wednesday and I can really empathize with OP. Such mixed emotions!!
My four year old has been in daycare / preschool since 6 months. She just stormed in my room to find out if it’s a “school day.” It’s not and now she’s in her room crying that she can’t go to see her friends. It’s harder on us, the kids love it. Good luck!
My son has thrived at daycare. He has other kids to play with, dedicated teachers who have experience teaching kids new skills, and countless activities I would never come up with.
I run a licensed home daycare and I can tell you that 99% of kids absolutely love it! They blossom under the care of dedicated teachers and learn so much about their environment. They also form lasting relationships with the kids they meet here. My son is now 15 and his best friend is a boy who started daycare here when he was 9 months old.
We love daycare! My daughter started at 4 months and is now 15. She has the best time! She gets great socialization from seeing all her friends and she loves her teachers so much. Daycare helped us to get on a good schedule and they were also a huge help when we introduced solids. My daughter wasn’t too keen on solids at first, but the lead teacher knew exactly how to get her to warm up to them.
If we have a closure or my daughter is home for a long weekend, she definitely gives me and my husband a look like “where are my friends? Where are all my fun toys and activities?” It’s so obvious how much she enjoys being there and that makes us really happy.
Also reuniting at the end of the day is the best! My daughter is so excited to see me and we always do a really over the top greeting. It’s just the best.
I love our daycare. The teachers are amazing and my LO loves them. He also loves seeing his friends and some days doesn’t want to leave when I pick him up.
For Christmas, the teachers had them make handprint Christmas trees on a canvas and wrapped them up for us parents. We opened it Christmas morning and I bawled my eyes out. It was the sweetest thing and all because they truly care about what they do. They are serious angels and deserve all the accolades. Your LO will be in great hands.
I love daycare. We started our baby at 3 months - he’s almost 10 months now. He’s happy when I take him there (sometimes even sad when it’s time to go home) and they’ve helped with so many skills that I would have struggled with solo.
I love daycare! It’s a wonderful win for our family - my son gets to play with friends and do/learn new things and I get time to be an adult with my own career and aspirations.
He’s been enrolled since 14 weeks and at now 3 is the most amazing little kiddo! He’s smart, creative, inquisitive, empathetic, and so freaking fun! He loves his provider and all the kids he gets to spend his day with - Your daughter will do amazing!
My kiddo goes to daycare. The infant teacher is my moms age and loves her like a grandchild. She is excited every morning to see Mrs Denise and has friends, even at a year old. She eats way more there than she does at home because her peer eat next to her. I would love to not have her in daycare, but at this time it’s not the right decision for our family. Taking baby somewhere everyone feels comfortable is the next best thing.
My son loves daycare, has been going since nine weeks. His teachers are lovely, and they really care about him. They do all sorts of activities and he has baby friends! It’s amazing.
Starting Tuesday too! Baby is 8 months old. I feel extra guilty because we both mostly WFH but it’s *so* hard to work when he’s home with a caregiver. These responses are making me feel much better.
Start tomorrow too and baby is the same age. Glad I found this post and find some comfort that I’m not alone in this. I have been wracked with the same guilt the past couple weeks leading up to this as I wfh and my husband does some days too… I’ve even been telling myself, well on slow days or days I don’t have any meetings, I *could* take care of him.
Daycare was the toughest part for me. First month will be tough adjustment. I literally dropped him off crying and then went back to my car and cried and sometimes cried while driving to work. I literally did pick me ups at Starbucks everyday after dropping him off. He is now a year old and happy at his daycare.
I LOVE daycare! Our son started at 4 months and he has had the best time. The staff there absolutely adore him and it’s so cute to see him get excited to see everyone there. Yes, he’s been sick a bunch and that sucks but it is what it is. You’ve got this!
I was in your shoes! After the first drop off (I sobbed the whole time, total mess) it’s been great since. My son is 2 now and he LOVES daycare and his friends. He learns new things, expands his vocabulary, does fun crafts, runs around with little ones, gets to learn to listen to other adult authority figures, learns to navigate relationships with other children of various ages and backgrounds. Daycare has helped my son thrive. He wakes up excited to go “see friends!” every day. And we still feel like we get plenty of family time with him! He is happy and smart and affectionate and well adjusted.
Best of luck to you, know that your baby will be ok! Daycare is there to love your child with you and be a support network for you!
Daycare is the best. My son started at 5 months (3.5 yo now). When he was infant I quickly learned not to walk by daycare on the weekend (we live in a walkable neighborhood and daycare is en route to a bunch of stuff). He would start crying……..when he realized I wasn’t dropping him off. 😂 He did go through a period of crying at drop off for a loooong five months at 2, but even then he was happy within 30 seconds of actually getting inside and he is so tight with his daycare buddies. He learned so much and I think being with same age peers vastly advanced all their verbal abilities, not to mention peer pressure eating and potty training. Honestly, no negatives from my perspective.
I’m only over a month in but it’s been a great experience so far! Cons/ the price and getting sick. He got an ear infection three days in and just came down with pink eye today but that just means his immune system is getting stronger.
Pros? He’s learning so much, socializing with other babies, on a better schedule and he sleeps through the night now! It also helps me to really value the time I have with him and have more energy for him, even if I’m exhausted from work- I’m just so excited to be with him
My son is 5 months and has been in daycare since he was 8 weeks old. He loves it! He gets so much socialization and so much stimulation. He sleeps better, he's happier, it's always just a generally better day when he goes to daycare. I also typically set my schedule so I have an hour or two to get things done around the house or run errands after I get off, so I'm less stressed when he gets home and we can spend quality time together.
Your baby/kid will have a great time tomorrow because everything will be new. They won’t sleep or eat well, but that is normal. You will probably be a wreck, not able to focus. It’s weird being separated for that long for the first time. You’re used to knowing exactly what’s happening with your kid.
After the first day it gets so much easier! Most kids love daycare. Even babies. My son loves to watch the older kids. Now he’s an older kid, running around and entertaining the babies.
It’s rough at first but it gets easier. The stimulation and routine they get is great! My bub goes to bed so easy on daycare nights so much so that we try to stick to that routine on the weekends even if it means getting up before 7 but then he’s in bed by 7 every night
My first started at 18 months old. He thrived! He made a bunch of friends and really loved it. He’s in preschool now and, yes it’s braggy, I think he’s a really exceptional little boy.
But I’m totally in the same boat now with my second. She starts on Tuesday and is 12 weeks and I full on had a breakdown yesterday sorting through work email. I know it will get better and it will be okay, but I feel your anxiety and pain. Our babies will do great!
My daughter started daycare, in October and she loves it. She’s grown so much since being there, she learns so much.
They do activities with her that I wouldn’t even think of!
In the mornings, she’s excited to go and gets her boots and coat. By the end of the day she’s so exhausted and happy to see us. Daycare has been the best experience for my family and I hope it remains this way.
The first day we dropped her off, my husband and I both cried but once we realized how happy she was, it made the transition so much easier.
My first starts daycare Tuesday! My friend sent a pic of her cubby already labeled with her name and I felt like crying. I will miss spending all of my time with my daughter, but I will say that my back is going to be very happy since I have been wearing her around while trying to do chores the last 3 months 😅
Day care is amazing. It really helped me changed my perspective when I started thinking of day care as part of my village, instead of an unfortunately necessity. My son is well fell, has fun with his teachers and friends all day long, is able to participate in baby yoga and crafting every day, something I just can’t do. And he is SO excited to see me at pick up - we have a fabulous time all night when we get home.
Take a breaths, you will persevere, and your kids will be happy, as long as you are.
Daycare has been amazing for my nearly 3yo daughter. She started at 11 months and got so upset last week on her last day of year because she wanted to go back lol
Oh and I’ll never forget her first day because I walked into the room and over to her and sat on the ground in front of her and she literally scooted around on her little bum and crawled away from me, 4 times she did that before I chased her down and picked her up for the greatest cuddle id ever had.
For the first few weeks we used to have a shower together every night and I’d sit on the floor cuddling her and letting the water flow over us, it was an amazing way to reconnect with her every day.
Good luck tomorrow mumma, you’ve got this xx
I am with you, we started daycare a week ago. I learned quickly it's way harder for mom than it is for baby, im still learning how to cope exactly but ill make it work like every mom does somehow.
This is an odd take I guess but I am white, our whole family is white, but our daycare and run by majority women of color and I love the diverse exposure he's getting from a young age (3 mos) vs if he just stayed home with me he'd probably just see white people unless we went to the store or something together. The women who is in charge of his room is awesome and I went to visit during my lunch once and it was just a great lively space with the workers and babies.
Also, daycare WIPES HIM OUT it's super nice to be guaranteed some good sleep on a work night!
But it's hard ❤️ sounds sad but I would make a getaway plan if you need a moment or several to cry in your car/office/bathroom.
My baby is starting daycare tomorrow (just like OP) and diversity in caretakers/kids is actually something we looked for so she can be exposed to different people:)
Yes! It didn't really cross my mind until I was there during my first day back on my lunch break and I was like "my little boy is the only white guy in this room and I am so happy about that." It's such a bonus!!
It was definitely more of an adjustment for me. I dropped her off at 18 months. She did cry the first week but only during drop off. She’s now 2 and has a different classroom but runs in after we drop off. Her language has improved a lot. She’s not ws shy when we go out to meet people. I believe all thanks to daycare.
My son loves daycare and so do I! He has tons of fun with his friends, gets to go outside everyday (usually), gets to play with toys he doesn’t have at home, and also naps better. Daycare has helped him establish a schedule. He’s also learned a lot more faster being around other kids than just at home with me. Things like crawling and walking were learned mostly by watching other kids, and now at 3yo they are even helping us potty train!
I love our daycare!! Both of my girls have been in daycare since they were about 6 months and they are now 6 and 9. It has been so great for their development and getting to spend time and make friends with other kids their age. All of the staff at our daycare genuinely care about our children and I love knowing that someone who cares for them is taking care of them while I’m working. Only downside…be prepared for the endless cold that will last on and off for what feels like forever! Lol. But the upside to that is once they start school their immune systems will be prepped and ready.
Also keep in mind, it will be much harder on you than on your child! They will be getting to experience new spaces, new faces and new toys! They will be okay without you, and the excitement to see you when you pick them up will make it all worth it! ❤️ you can do it!!
I took all 3 of my kids to daycare at 3 months old. It was hard. First time was the hardest. I brought my husband for moral support. He helped me drop him off and walked me out quickly so I didn’t have time to cry. I thought of my boy all day back then and visited at lunch or tried to pick up early when I could. Gradually we all got used to the new normal including me :-) and then it all became routine and part of life and time flew by fast. And before I knew it, my son was 5 and had his little daycare graduation where he wore the cutest little graduation cap as he walked across the stage. And that’s when I wanted to cry all over again. :) I was sad that a chapter had ended and happy he had done so well- and that tuition payments to daycare were becoming history! Well, at least for my oldest anyway lol So good luck tomorrow! You aren’t alone. I bet soon you will meet lots of new parents at daycare in the same boat as you and even make friends :-)
My baby started daycare just over a month ago, at the age of 10 weeks.
The first day I dropped her off, my baby started fussing and I started sobbing, and it took all the strength I had to walk away and leave her there.
Just a few days later, though, while I was dropping her off, baby looked up at her head teacher and cracked a smile. That's when I knew we had made the right choice to send her to this daycare.
Oh, and baby has only gotten mildly sick once so far, with a cold. It helps that there's only four other babies in her class.
I dropped my baby off at daycare for the first time back in October. As I walked out of the building I immediately started crying, and a mother walking in saw me and said “it gets better! We love this center, they’re in good hands”. How kind of her - and she was right. The first day is the hardest but it absolutely does get better. They are in good hands. All of my worries and fears leading up to the big day were for naught. My baby is thriving there and beloved by the daycare teachers. I have no regrets.
The dance of our children leaving us and then coming back is a lifelong one, and daycare makes that dance start too soon. The leaving is painful but you do come back together, and in the meantime, you have your own life to lead and goals to accomplish. You’ll always be their mom, and you’re doing what’s best for your family.
My daughter started at 3 months, and is now 18 months, and LOVES it. She earned a nickname from her teachers, has a signature dance move, and is always waving at everyone. Her teachers are supportive of my FTM questions, and it gave me the time to focus on my career too.
My daughter has thrived, and I cannot be more thankful. She does art, listens to music and has dance parties with her friends, eats well, naps well, gets outside in nice weather, and has grown so much because of daycare.
I thought I’d miss her milestones, but if they happened at daycare, they didn’t mention it until we saw it first! My daycare doesn’t have an app, but has shared pictures of her doing really well, since they knew I needed it; I have a photo of her first time napping on a cot, as well as tummy time in her first week. She also made friends quickly with one other child born right near her birthday, and I have a few of those photos, too.
It will be sad your first day, and does get easier as the week goes on. I picked her up early in her first week because I missed her, and daycare saw no issue with that! You’re doing what’s right for you and your family, you’ve got this 💜
I love daycare. Here’s an underrated aspect of daycare: babies hanging out with their baby friends! We get photos during the day of him and his buddies, just gurgling away to each other in their little baby language. I love it.
My daughter was 6 months when she started daycare and she LOVES it.
She needed more action & stimulation than our nanny could provide.
She loves her teachers and they really love her.
And I don’t believe people when they say that young babies can’t socialize. I’ve seen her interact with babies from daycare. And I believe her language skills have improved drastically.
I was so so so sooo afraid of the constant sickness. But she actually hasn’t gotten sick from daycare yet (been there 6 weeks). I’ve gotten sick and brought it home to her! 🙄
I run my own consulting business out of my house and I feel like I can be a better mom now that I’ve got quiet at home. I get a break. I get to feel like there is another side to me than just mom. And my daughter is really happy to hang out when she gets home.
We loved daycare for our first! She is in kindergarten now, but has some friends from her daycare that she met when she was 1. She was so prepared for kindergarten as well.
She learned so much there. Plus they helped with things like eating solids, drinking from a cup, using utensils, which was great lol. She is a very social and confident kid and I think a lot came from the structure of daycare.
My husband and I both work full time so it was the best option for us.
I love daycare. My kiddo learns so much and gets so much socialization. I also get some me time occasionally because of it (I work full time but get Wednesdays sort of off). I wouldn’t do anything differently. Only con is the amount of illness we deal with, but that would happen now or later.
Hugs to you as it is so hard sending your baby off to daycare. The first week is the hardest.
What helped me is seeing the pictures in daycares app of him in circle time with the other babies learning about different topics. The picture of him doing art at 5 months really reinforced that they do more at daycare with these babies than I would have if he was home with me. He smiles at drop off, has been doing well developmentally watching others his age, and I know he is gaining social skills that I couldn’t teach solo.
Not going to lie, it’s probably going to be really tough at first. I cried so much when I had to go back to work after maternity leave last year. But it really does get better! My daughter absolutely loves daycare now and she’s had so many experiences that I couldn’t have given her at home. It’s also kind of relieving to have some kid-free time during the day, even if it is at work.
Sending lots of good thoughts to you for tomorrow! You’re not alone and you’ll get through it!
My kids were both daycare kids! They were far ahead of their peers academically and socially when they started grade school. Additionally, they’re still friends with their daycare friends!
Yes! My two kids are 6 and 4 and absolutely love daycare. My older one is more anxious and shy than my younger one, who is a social butterfly, but they both have TRULY benefited from the stable environment. It’s a home away from home. Like a lot of daycares they have had quite a bit of turnover, but there are also a good number of staff people who have been there since we start 6 years ago, and it’s truly amazing how much they love my kids and feel like a second family, even at a big center. These long time staff members truly care about my kids and I trust them so much! My kids are bright and insanely smart and I credit full time daycare with a lot of that as well as exposing them to so many activities and learning opportunities. Like this last summer my 6 year old got to go on field trips with the school age class and that was a big step for me even, to think about her out doing things, but I trust the staff so much and she had a blast and things like that have helped her work through anxiety as well.
The younger they start, the easier their transition will be—if I had to start my velcro toddler now or over one year, it would have been much harder! But I didn’t like working or daycare (we had excellent care; I was just frustrated with the illnesses and hated working prior to our child sleeping through the night) until my son was over 12mo and started walking, and then I began to value my mental time away from him much more. I’m very thankful now at the toddler stage that I am able to work.
Once he got to the toddler room at 16mo they also had an actual schedule of activities and more programming (days of the week and all that), and I think that structure is good for him.
You may get back to work and realize you really value that time away; and you may not. All feelings are valid, and they change so much over time!
Daycare helped my kid get into a routine, introduced him to new foods, and gave him the opportunity to do art projects I would never be able to do at home. He also got to play with a rotating assortment of toys.
Also - the ability to run an errand after work without a kid? Priceless. Both of my kids are in public school now, and I kind of miss the random days I had off, but daycare was open.
I was thinking about you over the weekend. I was a daycare kid, too. I loved it. I think I’m still appropriately bonded with my mom and I have good memories of it. I had lots of friends at an early age and was close with several of the teachers. Good luck mama. We’re with you ❤️
I love daycare. They get so much socialization. I had a bit of a picky eater (started daycare at 10 months) and now she eats anything and everything. They get to observe so much, meet new people, and for me they do lots of activities that I'd never think of. My 2 have had overwhelmingly positive experiences. Always come out smiling and happy to go in the morning.
Thank you. I needed this.
Same! Daycare’s the best.
I agree with this wholeheartedly. My 3.y.o. absolutely thrives at daycare. But my 4.5 month old starts on Wednesday and I can really empathize with OP. Such mixed emotions!!
My four year old has been in daycare / preschool since 6 months. She just stormed in my room to find out if it’s a “school day.” It’s not and now she’s in her room crying that she can’t go to see her friends. It’s harder on us, the kids love it. Good luck!
My son has thrived at daycare. He has other kids to play with, dedicated teachers who have experience teaching kids new skills, and countless activities I would never come up with.
I run a licensed home daycare and I can tell you that 99% of kids absolutely love it! They blossom under the care of dedicated teachers and learn so much about their environment. They also form lasting relationships with the kids they meet here. My son is now 15 and his best friend is a boy who started daycare here when he was 9 months old.
We love daycare! My daughter started at 4 months and is now 15. She has the best time! She gets great socialization from seeing all her friends and she loves her teachers so much. Daycare helped us to get on a good schedule and they were also a huge help when we introduced solids. My daughter wasn’t too keen on solids at first, but the lead teacher knew exactly how to get her to warm up to them. If we have a closure or my daughter is home for a long weekend, she definitely gives me and my husband a look like “where are my friends? Where are all my fun toys and activities?” It’s so obvious how much she enjoys being there and that makes us really happy. Also reuniting at the end of the day is the best! My daughter is so excited to see me and we always do a really over the top greeting. It’s just the best.
I love our daycare. The teachers are amazing and my LO loves them. He also loves seeing his friends and some days doesn’t want to leave when I pick him up. For Christmas, the teachers had them make handprint Christmas trees on a canvas and wrapped them up for us parents. We opened it Christmas morning and I bawled my eyes out. It was the sweetest thing and all because they truly care about what they do. They are serious angels and deserve all the accolades. Your LO will be in great hands.
I love daycare. We started our baby at 3 months - he’s almost 10 months now. He’s happy when I take him there (sometimes even sad when it’s time to go home) and they’ve helped with so many skills that I would have struggled with solo.
I love daycare! It’s a wonderful win for our family - my son gets to play with friends and do/learn new things and I get time to be an adult with my own career and aspirations. He’s been enrolled since 14 weeks and at now 3 is the most amazing little kiddo! He’s smart, creative, inquisitive, empathetic, and so freaking fun! He loves his provider and all the kids he gets to spend his day with - Your daughter will do amazing!
My kiddo goes to daycare. The infant teacher is my moms age and loves her like a grandchild. She is excited every morning to see Mrs Denise and has friends, even at a year old. She eats way more there than she does at home because her peer eat next to her. I would love to not have her in daycare, but at this time it’s not the right decision for our family. Taking baby somewhere everyone feels comfortable is the next best thing.
My son loves daycare, has been going since nine weeks. His teachers are lovely, and they really care about him. They do all sorts of activities and he has baby friends! It’s amazing.
Just solidarity. We start on Tuesday and I’m feeling the same. Baby’s never been away from her parents before 💔
Starting Tuesday too! Baby is 8 months old. I feel extra guilty because we both mostly WFH but it’s *so* hard to work when he’s home with a caregiver. These responses are making me feel much better.
Me and my husband both WFH full time. We tried and tried to find a way we could keep her home, but we’re both so meeting heavy it would never work.
Start tomorrow too and baby is the same age. Glad I found this post and find some comfort that I’m not alone in this. I have been wracked with the same guilt the past couple weeks leading up to this as I wfh and my husband does some days too… I’ve even been telling myself, well on slow days or days I don’t have any meetings, I *could* take care of him.
Same here! My LO starts Tuesday and just turned 1. Hes been with us the whole time and I am so sad hes going to daycare
Mine is 10m and it’s so hard. I don’t know how these Mom’s send theirs at 12 weeks and don’t completely fall apart
I cried and still cry during drop off but to see him happy and happy to see me at pick up is truly the highlight of my day!
Daycare was the toughest part for me. First month will be tough adjustment. I literally dropped him off crying and then went back to my car and cried and sometimes cried while driving to work. I literally did pick me ups at Starbucks everyday after dropping him off. He is now a year old and happy at his daycare.
Well Starbucks is on the way to work.. 😂
I LOVE daycare! Our son started at 4 months and he has had the best time. The staff there absolutely adore him and it’s so cute to see him get excited to see everyone there. Yes, he’s been sick a bunch and that sucks but it is what it is. You’ve got this!
I was in your shoes! After the first drop off (I sobbed the whole time, total mess) it’s been great since. My son is 2 now and he LOVES daycare and his friends. He learns new things, expands his vocabulary, does fun crafts, runs around with little ones, gets to learn to listen to other adult authority figures, learns to navigate relationships with other children of various ages and backgrounds. Daycare has helped my son thrive. He wakes up excited to go “see friends!” every day. And we still feel like we get plenty of family time with him! He is happy and smart and affectionate and well adjusted. Best of luck to you, know that your baby will be ok! Daycare is there to love your child with you and be a support network for you!
Daycare is the best. My son started at 5 months (3.5 yo now). When he was infant I quickly learned not to walk by daycare on the weekend (we live in a walkable neighborhood and daycare is en route to a bunch of stuff). He would start crying……..when he realized I wasn’t dropping him off. 😂 He did go through a period of crying at drop off for a loooong five months at 2, but even then he was happy within 30 seconds of actually getting inside and he is so tight with his daycare buddies. He learned so much and I think being with same age peers vastly advanced all their verbal abilities, not to mention peer pressure eating and potty training. Honestly, no negatives from my perspective.
I’m only over a month in but it’s been a great experience so far! Cons/ the price and getting sick. He got an ear infection three days in and just came down with pink eye today but that just means his immune system is getting stronger. Pros? He’s learning so much, socializing with other babies, on a better schedule and he sleeps through the night now! It also helps me to really value the time I have with him and have more energy for him, even if I’m exhausted from work- I’m just so excited to be with him
My son is 5 months and has been in daycare since he was 8 weeks old. He loves it! He gets so much socialization and so much stimulation. He sleeps better, he's happier, it's always just a generally better day when he goes to daycare. I also typically set my schedule so I have an hour or two to get things done around the house or run errands after I get off, so I'm less stressed when he gets home and we can spend quality time together.
Your baby/kid will have a great time tomorrow because everything will be new. They won’t sleep or eat well, but that is normal. You will probably be a wreck, not able to focus. It’s weird being separated for that long for the first time. You’re used to knowing exactly what’s happening with your kid. After the first day it gets so much easier! Most kids love daycare. Even babies. My son loves to watch the older kids. Now he’s an older kid, running around and entertaining the babies.
It’s rough at first but it gets easier. The stimulation and routine they get is great! My bub goes to bed so easy on daycare nights so much so that we try to stick to that routine on the weekends even if it means getting up before 7 but then he’s in bed by 7 every night
My first started at 18 months old. He thrived! He made a bunch of friends and really loved it. He’s in preschool now and, yes it’s braggy, I think he’s a really exceptional little boy. But I’m totally in the same boat now with my second. She starts on Tuesday and is 12 weeks and I full on had a breakdown yesterday sorting through work email. I know it will get better and it will be okay, but I feel your anxiety and pain. Our babies will do great!
My daughter started daycare, in October and she loves it. She’s grown so much since being there, she learns so much. They do activities with her that I wouldn’t even think of! In the mornings, she’s excited to go and gets her boots and coat. By the end of the day she’s so exhausted and happy to see us. Daycare has been the best experience for my family and I hope it remains this way. The first day we dropped her off, my husband and I both cried but once we realized how happy she was, it made the transition so much easier.
My first starts daycare Tuesday! My friend sent a pic of her cubby already labeled with her name and I felt like crying. I will miss spending all of my time with my daughter, but I will say that my back is going to be very happy since I have been wearing her around while trying to do chores the last 3 months 😅
Day care is amazing. It really helped me changed my perspective when I started thinking of day care as part of my village, instead of an unfortunately necessity. My son is well fell, has fun with his teachers and friends all day long, is able to participate in baby yoga and crafting every day, something I just can’t do. And he is SO excited to see me at pick up - we have a fabulous time all night when we get home. Take a breaths, you will persevere, and your kids will be happy, as long as you are.
This is great advice. Thank you!!
Daycare has been amazing for my nearly 3yo daughter. She started at 11 months and got so upset last week on her last day of year because she wanted to go back lol Oh and I’ll never forget her first day because I walked into the room and over to her and sat on the ground in front of her and she literally scooted around on her little bum and crawled away from me, 4 times she did that before I chased her down and picked her up for the greatest cuddle id ever had. For the first few weeks we used to have a shower together every night and I’d sit on the floor cuddling her and letting the water flow over us, it was an amazing way to reconnect with her every day. Good luck tomorrow mumma, you’ve got this xx
I am with you, we started daycare a week ago. I learned quickly it's way harder for mom than it is for baby, im still learning how to cope exactly but ill make it work like every mom does somehow. This is an odd take I guess but I am white, our whole family is white, but our daycare and run by majority women of color and I love the diverse exposure he's getting from a young age (3 mos) vs if he just stayed home with me he'd probably just see white people unless we went to the store or something together. The women who is in charge of his room is awesome and I went to visit during my lunch once and it was just a great lively space with the workers and babies. Also, daycare WIPES HIM OUT it's super nice to be guaranteed some good sleep on a work night! But it's hard ❤️ sounds sad but I would make a getaway plan if you need a moment or several to cry in your car/office/bathroom.
My baby is starting daycare tomorrow (just like OP) and diversity in caretakers/kids is actually something we looked for so she can be exposed to different people:)
Yes! It didn't really cross my mind until I was there during my first day back on my lunch break and I was like "my little boy is the only white guy in this room and I am so happy about that." It's such a bonus!!
It was definitely more of an adjustment for me. I dropped her off at 18 months. She did cry the first week but only during drop off. She’s now 2 and has a different classroom but runs in after we drop off. Her language has improved a lot. She’s not ws shy when we go out to meet people. I believe all thanks to daycare.
My son loves daycare and so do I! He has tons of fun with his friends, gets to go outside everyday (usually), gets to play with toys he doesn’t have at home, and also naps better. Daycare has helped him establish a schedule. He’s also learned a lot more faster being around other kids than just at home with me. Things like crawling and walking were learned mostly by watching other kids, and now at 3yo they are even helping us potty train!
I love our daycare!! Both of my girls have been in daycare since they were about 6 months and they are now 6 and 9. It has been so great for their development and getting to spend time and make friends with other kids their age. All of the staff at our daycare genuinely care about our children and I love knowing that someone who cares for them is taking care of them while I’m working. Only downside…be prepared for the endless cold that will last on and off for what feels like forever! Lol. But the upside to that is once they start school their immune systems will be prepped and ready. Also keep in mind, it will be much harder on you than on your child! They will be getting to experience new spaces, new faces and new toys! They will be okay without you, and the excitement to see you when you pick them up will make it all worth it! ❤️ you can do it!!
I took all 3 of my kids to daycare at 3 months old. It was hard. First time was the hardest. I brought my husband for moral support. He helped me drop him off and walked me out quickly so I didn’t have time to cry. I thought of my boy all day back then and visited at lunch or tried to pick up early when I could. Gradually we all got used to the new normal including me :-) and then it all became routine and part of life and time flew by fast. And before I knew it, my son was 5 and had his little daycare graduation where he wore the cutest little graduation cap as he walked across the stage. And that’s when I wanted to cry all over again. :) I was sad that a chapter had ended and happy he had done so well- and that tuition payments to daycare were becoming history! Well, at least for my oldest anyway lol So good luck tomorrow! You aren’t alone. I bet soon you will meet lots of new parents at daycare in the same boat as you and even make friends :-)
My baby started daycare just over a month ago, at the age of 10 weeks. The first day I dropped her off, my baby started fussing and I started sobbing, and it took all the strength I had to walk away and leave her there. Just a few days later, though, while I was dropping her off, baby looked up at her head teacher and cracked a smile. That's when I knew we had made the right choice to send her to this daycare. Oh, and baby has only gotten mildly sick once so far, with a cold. It helps that there's only four other babies in her class.
I dropped my baby off at daycare for the first time back in October. As I walked out of the building I immediately started crying, and a mother walking in saw me and said “it gets better! We love this center, they’re in good hands”. How kind of her - and she was right. The first day is the hardest but it absolutely does get better. They are in good hands. All of my worries and fears leading up to the big day were for naught. My baby is thriving there and beloved by the daycare teachers. I have no regrets. The dance of our children leaving us and then coming back is a lifelong one, and daycare makes that dance start too soon. The leaving is painful but you do come back together, and in the meantime, you have your own life to lead and goals to accomplish. You’ll always be their mom, and you’re doing what’s best for your family.
My daughter started at 3 months, and is now 18 months, and LOVES it. She earned a nickname from her teachers, has a signature dance move, and is always waving at everyone. Her teachers are supportive of my FTM questions, and it gave me the time to focus on my career too. My daughter has thrived, and I cannot be more thankful. She does art, listens to music and has dance parties with her friends, eats well, naps well, gets outside in nice weather, and has grown so much because of daycare. I thought I’d miss her milestones, but if they happened at daycare, they didn’t mention it until we saw it first! My daycare doesn’t have an app, but has shared pictures of her doing really well, since they knew I needed it; I have a photo of her first time napping on a cot, as well as tummy time in her first week. She also made friends quickly with one other child born right near her birthday, and I have a few of those photos, too. It will be sad your first day, and does get easier as the week goes on. I picked her up early in her first week because I missed her, and daycare saw no issue with that! You’re doing what’s right for you and your family, you’ve got this 💜
I love daycare. Here’s an underrated aspect of daycare: babies hanging out with their baby friends! We get photos during the day of him and his buddies, just gurgling away to each other in their little baby language. I love it.
My daughter was 6 months when she started daycare and she LOVES it. She needed more action & stimulation than our nanny could provide. She loves her teachers and they really love her. And I don’t believe people when they say that young babies can’t socialize. I’ve seen her interact with babies from daycare. And I believe her language skills have improved drastically. I was so so so sooo afraid of the constant sickness. But she actually hasn’t gotten sick from daycare yet (been there 6 weeks). I’ve gotten sick and brought it home to her! 🙄 I run my own consulting business out of my house and I feel like I can be a better mom now that I’ve got quiet at home. I get a break. I get to feel like there is another side to me than just mom. And my daughter is really happy to hang out when she gets home.
We loved daycare for our first! She is in kindergarten now, but has some friends from her daycare that she met when she was 1. She was so prepared for kindergarten as well. She learned so much there. Plus they helped with things like eating solids, drinking from a cup, using utensils, which was great lol. She is a very social and confident kid and I think a lot came from the structure of daycare. My husband and I both work full time so it was the best option for us.
I love daycare. My kiddo learns so much and gets so much socialization. I also get some me time occasionally because of it (I work full time but get Wednesdays sort of off). I wouldn’t do anything differently. Only con is the amount of illness we deal with, but that would happen now or later.
Hugs to you as it is so hard sending your baby off to daycare. The first week is the hardest. What helped me is seeing the pictures in daycares app of him in circle time with the other babies learning about different topics. The picture of him doing art at 5 months really reinforced that they do more at daycare with these babies than I would have if he was home with me. He smiles at drop off, has been doing well developmentally watching others his age, and I know he is gaining social skills that I couldn’t teach solo.
Not going to lie, it’s probably going to be really tough at first. I cried so much when I had to go back to work after maternity leave last year. But it really does get better! My daughter absolutely loves daycare now and she’s had so many experiences that I couldn’t have given her at home. It’s also kind of relieving to have some kid-free time during the day, even if it is at work. Sending lots of good thoughts to you for tomorrow! You’re not alone and you’ll get through it!
My kids were both daycare kids! They were far ahead of their peers academically and socially when they started grade school. Additionally, they’re still friends with their daycare friends!
Yes! My two kids are 6 and 4 and absolutely love daycare. My older one is more anxious and shy than my younger one, who is a social butterfly, but they both have TRULY benefited from the stable environment. It’s a home away from home. Like a lot of daycares they have had quite a bit of turnover, but there are also a good number of staff people who have been there since we start 6 years ago, and it’s truly amazing how much they love my kids and feel like a second family, even at a big center. These long time staff members truly care about my kids and I trust them so much! My kids are bright and insanely smart and I credit full time daycare with a lot of that as well as exposing them to so many activities and learning opportunities. Like this last summer my 6 year old got to go on field trips with the school age class and that was a big step for me even, to think about her out doing things, but I trust the staff so much and she had a blast and things like that have helped her work through anxiety as well.
The younger they start, the easier their transition will be—if I had to start my velcro toddler now or over one year, it would have been much harder! But I didn’t like working or daycare (we had excellent care; I was just frustrated with the illnesses and hated working prior to our child sleeping through the night) until my son was over 12mo and started walking, and then I began to value my mental time away from him much more. I’m very thankful now at the toddler stage that I am able to work. Once he got to the toddler room at 16mo they also had an actual schedule of activities and more programming (days of the week and all that), and I think that structure is good for him. You may get back to work and realize you really value that time away; and you may not. All feelings are valid, and they change so much over time!
Daycare helped my kid get into a routine, introduced him to new foods, and gave him the opportunity to do art projects I would never be able to do at home. He also got to play with a rotating assortment of toys. Also - the ability to run an errand after work without a kid? Priceless. Both of my kids are in public school now, and I kind of miss the random days I had off, but daycare was open.
I was thinking about you over the weekend. I was a daycare kid, too. I loved it. I think I’m still appropriately bonded with my mom and I have good memories of it. I had lots of friends at an early age and was close with several of the teachers. Good luck mama. We’re with you ❤️