Nursery

[arielmanto]

Just need a hand hold as I know we have made the right decision but it's no fun right now..
LO is 2 and has been with us since 6mo. She was categorically not ready to be left alone at nursery or playgroup until a few months ago. This week we have started nursery, 2 hours a morning, 2 mornings a week. It's small, lovely, and the staff there knew me when I was a little girl, I trust them implicitly!
Tues was her first day and she obviously didn't really figure out what was going on, toddled off to play and then we DP returned to pick her up was playing happily - until she spotted DP and put on a bit of a cry-fest. Was eating her lunch ten mins later none the worse for wear.
Today was day 2 - this time she saw it coming and was really clingy and weepy. I am at work but poor DP is sat in the car howling. She's feeling terrible but knows it's the right decision. DD loves other kids and actively ignores us at soft play so she can chase them around. She'll love a sandpit and a library and a book corner. But god why is it so heart-wrenching dropping her off!?
Help! Tell me stories of your DC and how they got over this bit and love nursery!

[hidinginthenightgarden]

It was actually my BC that cried when left not my AC.
It was heart breaking but that staff always said that he was fine within 5 minutes of me leaving so it was better to just leave quickly as I was making it worse by trying to comfort him and then making to leave again.
We found it helped to talk about all the fun stuff they were going to do on the way there so they fully expected it to happen. Get them engaged with a toy or an activity and make a quiet exit.

[Rufus27]

We were in a similar position initially when DS was 15 months. Now he is 22 months and he hates leaving nursery ! In fact, I have reduced my hours so he does not need to go there as much now, but we still keep him there two days a week as he now gets so much from it. Luckily they were a nursery who totally ‘got’ the potential issues with an adopted child and I think that really helped. Hang in there!

[donquixotedelamancha]

Adopted DD2 at the same age as yours. Just sent her to nursery as well. She cries like buggery when left, but is fine afterwards. DW feels a bit guilty, but we have the advantage of having experienced how much good nursery does them with DD1. In a couple of weeks she'll probably not want to leave.

Perfectly normal. I know of lots of kids who did this.