Well the day has come, or shall I say came. Angelbaby started daycare for the first time on Monday. She cried and clung to my leg, <img border="0" alt="[Teary]" title="" src="graemlins/teary.gif" /> it was all very heartbreaking. The first couple of days she seemed a little more quiet and tired at home after I picked her up. Last night she was a little more lively, but she already caught some cold from one of the sniffly little children. Anyhow my question is how do I know they are treating her well? She can of course same words and mimic you but cannot hold conversations yet. She is 2 yrs and 2 months. Does anybody here have any expereince with the day care thing?

Its been a long time since I had to deal with daycare issues.... (((xangel)))

but what I can offer is--- that first and foremost-- this is always HARD. Whether good or bad daycare-most mother have some reservations about daycare! Its hard on a mother! The safest care will ALWAYS be paying a family member or good and TRUSTED friend.

But I think one thing is true- you can generally sense the comfort level of a child and particular daycare workers. If the child is being mistreated then they will NOT show acceptance towards the workers. Watch the interactions-expressions- fear, etc....

And of course, it is WAY too early for fretting... relax and give it a week or so and you should have a good idea- kids adapt quickly once surroundings become familiar and normal routine!

Good luck dear- hang in there!

<small>[ January 20, 2005, 11:15 AM: Message edited by: giovanna123 ]</small>

Can you drop by unannounced? I did that with all the dc's my kids went to.

Let me tell you, not all dc are the same. The first one I had my son in at 6 weeks old (HAD to go back to work...I cried buckets) was horrible. I was nursing him at the time, and expressing milk at work for him. I'd go to the dc at lunch and nurse him. One day, he was like HUGELY hungry, so I checked his bottles in the fridge...they'd only given him 2 oz all morning! I was livid! When I asked the girl why, she said it was b/c he was making "noises" while he ate (he would "talk" thru his meals) so she stopped feeding him. Took him out of there and never went back. My poor baby. I still feel bad.

Do you get a daily log of mija's activities? That is a must! They should also tell you how many diapers they changed and log those on the sheet.

The crying and clinging will go away (usually). I always allow about 15 extra minutes in the morning when I d/o so I can cuddle them (even now at age 5) and tell them I love them. I've never had a lot of problems d/o - usually my kids don't want to leave their friends when I go p/u! My brats! Gotta love how secure they are, huh?

Let her choose a snuggly to keep in her cubby at school for when they have naptime. That helps, too.

Oh, and babycenter.com should have boards for daycare issues...you could post there.


- Kimmy

Thanks Gio, I wil give it more time.

Kimmy: Yes they give me a log sheet everyday of her activities and wettings, and the parents are encourage to drop by whenever they want. It's a chain daycare and not some mom and pop place so I do have a little faith in it, but still. I wish my mother could still watch her, but it can't be. Wow. I couldn't imagine leaving her at six months that must have been tough.

I guess all I can do is pray and hope they take good care of her, but the minute I sense something she's outa there.....Sigh...being a mother is tough..

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial"> being a mother is tough.. </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">It's like having your heart forever walk around outside your body.

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial"> It's like having your heart forever walk around outside your body.
</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Gosh, ain't that the truth.

angel, I can also guarantee you will worry over her, and any future children, till the day you die. The type of worries change as your children grow, but they'll always be your babies.

One other tidbit, because I have teens and a baby--babies are more of a physical challenge, while teens are more of an emotional challenge. Just think what all you've got ahead of you!! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="images/icons/shocked.gif" />

It's all good though, and every stage of a child's life is awesome to watch and be a part of--even the cranky, sassy years, because there's always good with the bad in each stage! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" />

~ad

***edited to add, (because duh, I forgot to answer your original question)... I agree with dropping by unannounced. I think that will give you the best birdseye view on what goes on. I would do it several times--at different times of the day. Also, any kind of change in your dd's behavior and demeanor should raise a red flag. Of course, while being new to the dc setting, she will no doubt act a little different at first, like being tired as you mentioned. Just always keep your eye out for more of a radical change.

<small>[ January 20, 2005, 03:41 PM: Message edited by: Autumn Day ]</small>