Graduating to big kids' daycare
Daycare can help kids learn to socialise and become independent. Photo / Thinkstock
It's the first few months of daycare that are the worst - when you're getting used to leaving them for the day, and they're getting used to being looked after by someone else.
The sad little sobs are the hardest thing about dropping your little one off. The desperate clinging on is pretty heart wrenching too.
My little Mia hasn't done that for a long time, and for the almost two years she's been at daycare she's loved it (most of the time). Yes, she still has her moments in the mornings. Some of them are genuine "don't go" moments, especially after a long weekend or a holiday, and sometimes she's just putting it on for dramatic effect before running off beaming. "Bye, dad."
Next week she moves up to the big kids' class - where the boys are bigger, louder and more boisterous, and the girls more cliquey and bossy.
The anxiousness and worry I feel for her takes me back to the time when she first started going to daycare.
Overseas, moves to ease working parents' anxiety levels have stepped up a notch in recent years.
There are all manner of 'childcare surveillance' gadgets on the market and a new GPS-style gizmo currently being developed in Japan can track the whereabouts of a child and even take a photo of what they are seeing if their pulse rises to a stressed - or panicked - level.
I know what you're thinking. And I agree. What a bloody ridiculous idea sending your kid off to daycare rigged up like Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible just to put your mind at ease and help keep them safe.
Besides, kids need to learn to fend for themselves - and daycare, if you ask me, is a good place to learn.
Childcare is a divisive issue, but let's face it, some of us don't have a choice. And putting your child in care is not a bad thing because I reckon it helps teach them to look after themselves.
I'm convinced Mia's confidence and her friendly social butterfly nature is partly to do with going to daycare. She's also got a little friend who is similarly confident and social, and there is one boy in her class who started out as a placid and coy wee thing and is now a smiley and friendly little lad.
It might take Mia a little while to adjust next week but I know she will be fine in the big kids' class.
She's ready for the more advanced and challenging days the preschool offers and, most importantly, she's looking forward to it.
You go little girl.
I'm hoping that her resilient personality will kick in therefore making it a smooth transition. Like your daughter I firmly believe Paige has benefited markedky from her time at daycare. She possesses excellent communicational skills easily conversing with both adults & her peers & her retention can also be credited to her time at daycare.
A word to other parents grappling with the decision to or not to send your child to daycare. On the contrary, it's not all doom & gloom as some people will have you believe.
I would have gone back to my high-paying corporate career and not questioned it. Unfortunately number 2 made that much much too hard. I really believe it comes down to the individual child and daycare is great for a lot of kids, but not always. Besides there are too many parameters which go into caring for children to say one size fits all. I have had to give up my career fully and my husband and I have had to completely rethink our lifestyle.
Hence we have moved to Wanaka, the best small town in the world, selling our Auckland home and renting and working from home. I wouldn't change it for anything especially when I look in no. 2's eyes and see that little sparkle when she reaches in for a kiss and a cuddle. Best for one and best for all in the end, but a hard choice to make nevertheless. Now when I her off for her daycare she smiles and says 'Bye Mummy'.no more guilt or tears.
But I tell you what, it's been the best thing for her. She's much more challenged there. And it's been great being around the older kids. She is now 95% toilet trained, which I think is all because all her friends wore knickers and she wanted to be like them. Her speach has improved so much and she is a much more happier child since she's moved.
I still get the days were she doesn't want me to go but it's either becuase she's tired or she sees another kid crying. Usually once I'm out the door and she's having a 2nd breakfast or she'll wave at me through the big window by the drive, then she's fine.
After a few weeks you'll noticed a big difference in her.for the good though. As you can tell, I am a fan of daycare as I think it does fantastic things for kids.