When Strawberry picks Curly up this afternoon, we will have made it through the first week at the new daycare. So far, things have gone very well. Napping is still a work in progress. Yesterday’s report said he napped from 10-11 in a crib, but then not at all in the afternoon. So whereas we are used to him waking on his own at about 6pm from his 5pm nap at home, he just kept on sleeping. We went and got him at 6:30 and he did NOT want to be awake. When we set him on the floor to play for a minute while we got his dinner warmed up, he lay down, closed his eyes and sucked his thumb. Quite cute and sad, actually. Once in his high chair he perked up enough to eat (but not the steamed citrus ginger carrots, the troglodyte!), but was drifting off during his very quick bath and change into pj’s. I talked to his teachers again this morning about some napping strategies, so we’ll see what today’s report looks like.
The hardest part is the newish separation anxiety. Apparently, 13 months is common for it to show up, and boy has it! We noticed it at home last weekend, and were scared about how it would play out with the new daycare. Days #1 and #2 it wasn’t that bad. He was excited about all the new toys and new faces. But yesterday and today I’ve left him in tears each morning. He’s not inconsolable, and he is easily comforted by his teachers. I know the best thing is for me to just walk away, but it tugs at my heart in the worst way. The daycare center occupies most of the ground floor of an office building and the main room has windows all the way up to the ceiling that face the exit sidewalk and parking lot. This morning as I left, Curly’s eyes tracked me while he cried, all the while sitting in the lap of a teacher. I’ll be sure not to walk along the windows next week.
But those issues aside, we love it there. The teachers and the space and the cleanliness and the educational toys and the happy kids and the DAILY REPORT!! Oh, and Mr. Curly’s butt is rash free and clean as a whistle 🙂
1 In Vermillion 
The napping takes time. When Doris started her current daycare, it took about a month before she settle to a good nap routine. And a good month before she stopped crying when I left and cry as soon as I picked her up. And sometimes (like today) she still cries when I drop her off. But then the teacher would say “your daughter smiles more than anyone i’ve ever met!” so I knew she was enjoying her day once I left. You just have to tell yourself that it will work out and that they really do know what they are doing and believe it to be so. It will work out soon.
ohh i learned a new word! 😉
is there anything harder and more counter-intuitive than walking away when they are crying?! ugh!
sounds like a great new facility, im sure miles will get into his new groove soon.
hope you all have a restful weekend!
Having a daycare you can trust is so important. Once August hits and chunk is in daycare fulltime, I am sure of our choice. But, I can’t imagine the feeling of leaving your crying child… Once August rolls around, I am sure I will know the feeling.
It sounds like he’s really doing great. He just prefers to be with his moms, as do lot of kids at his age (my own Miles for one.) Can you blame him?
I’m so glad that you’re happy with your choice! I just don’t think they’ll nap as well there an it’s so hard on us when we get them home! Holland has transitioined to 1 nap a day mist days now!
Walking away from the crying is absolutely one of the hardest parts of parenting. I think it is GREAT that Miles is doing so well at his new daycare…it will be no time before he practically jumps out of the car to see his friends and teachers. 🙂
So awesome to hear how happy you all are with the new day care! Though I can’t imagine walking away from my crying baby (or two crying babies) I’m sure its for the best. He will soon adjust and be happy to stay.
As for the naps (and your comment on my blog), I hope he learns to nap if even for a short while there in the afternoons. Our boys need at least 2 naps a day or they are just cranky lil babies! I’m not sure if its because they are home M-F and have developed a good routine or they are just easy nappers, but it makes life easier knowing they will nap just about anywhere. It allows us to be out for longer stretches without worrying about throwing them off schedule. Does Miles need quiet to nap? At home the boys have a relatively quiet environment but when we are out they fall asleep regardless of the noise. I must say though, that they don’t sleep as long as when they are home, but long enough (45-1hr each nap) to keep them from getting grumpy.
I’m so glad he’s in a better spot. And w/ a healthy butt too!
Poor moms. That must be one of the hardest things to do, walking away from your crying baby, even if you know he’s in the best of hands.
I’m happy to hear the new daycare is working out so well! Who doesn’t love a rash free butt!?!
Oh man; the separation anxiety sounds utterly miserable for you. But it must be a bit easier dealing with that knowing that he’s in much more capable hands. So glad to hear the good butt news! tee hee