Nurseries - Postive stories to reassure nervous mum!!!!!!!!-please!!!!

[pelvicflawed]

My LO who will be almost 10 mths will soon be starting nursery 3 days a week when I go back to work p-t. He is quite a sociable/bold little character and dosen't seem to mind being with other people (so far) as long as he gets care and attention. I'm confident in the nursery we've chosen - its got good reports and other mums who've put their babies there are pleased with it. Please tell me some positive stories about nursery and babies my lo age so that I feel happy/less guilty - I've thought about being a SAHM but I'm just not cut out for it (all credit to those that are though)and for financial/personal reasons p-t work seems the best compromise.

[pelvicflawed]

Thanks Waswondering starting to feel a bit better already - already have the tissues packed in my bag for the first day (for me!!!!). Always though I was tough but as it gets nearer its starting to loom over me. Good to hear your story

[wheelsonthebus]

my dd loves nursery and is always chatting away about her friends and her main carer, melanie. she has been at nursery since she was 4 months old, to only recently full time (she is now 2). they do so many things; sport, ballet, kinderama, french (not yet!) and things. she watches v little tv and is always into messy play and making things. the only downside really is that she picks up lots of viruses from other kids (she is on her 4th day off - i am off work and looking after her) and of course the expense. we are paying #14,000 a year as we live in central London. but i was not offered part time work as an option and we have a huge mortgage

[Sheraz]

Both my DS's went to nursery 3 days a week. They started when they were 20 weeks old. I have never regretted making that choice. The nursery they went to was fantastic, lovley staff who we got to know really well.
They did so many activities, painting, nature walks, stuff that I would never had really done at home.
They both knew shapes and colours by pre-school, and are both doing well at school/ nursery.
Your LO will be fine.

[robbosmum]

will you put your lo in nursery before yuo go back to work.. i am going back soon and thougt i would do a staged drop off as i think i will be hysterical if i drop her off and she is crying. So i mth before i go back she will go in for an hour and gradually build up the time - like yuo am also dreading it, but am also looking forward to going back to work

[pelvicflawed]

Thanks robbosmum - he's starting a a few weeks before I go back (when I'm on leave as opposed to mat. leave) doing a few hrs then 1 day before the three days. I'm glad I've decided to put him early (a friend suggested this) as we can iron out any probs/get used to a new routine before I have the added stress of work. I can also do my snuffling!!! in relative peace. I know (prob as soon as a step through the door) it will change but am really looking forward to going back to work. I love being a mum but I also like not being a mum (if I make any sense????)

[robbosmum]

yes , it makes perfect sense to me .....
good luck

[KezzaG]

Hi, my ds goes to nursery 3 days a week. I really really didnt want to go back to work but it was the best thing for both of us. It makes me a better mum on the days I am with him, and he really enjoys his time there.

He does more activities than he would do at home, has friends, and a couple of his carers also babysit for us and we know he is happy with them.

Good luck, I hope it works out for you both.

[pelvicflawed]

Thanks all - I'm feeling a bit more confident in it all now. I think that going back to work will hopefully make me a better mum on the days I'm with him as I'll have a bit more drive to make the most of it (if I just have a break for a few hours away I have more mental energy for him). I know working won't be a bed of roses - but I think it help me if I have my double life (oh and we need the money!!!)Thanks to everyone you've made me feel much better.

[fluffyanimal]

I had exactly the same worries with my ds who started nursery full time when he was 10 months. He was always very clingy and not used to other people so I was really worried. But he did really well and loves it now. We did a slow settle in, building up from a couple of hours to a full day over a period of about 2 weeks before I went back to work. Yes he cried at drop off for the first few days (harrowing for the parent) but the carers said he soon settled after I left and by the end of the first 2 weeks he had fully settled in, now can't wait to get down and get playing when we drop him off. He's so much more confident and laid back now too. Sure it will be fine for your LO too.

[dunscared]

Daughter started when 6 months old, think it hit me more than her, now 2.5 and loves it - refuses to come home most nights!
Son due to start next week at same age. Will do the same as I did with daughter which was to put her in the full 3 days for the last 2 weeks of my mat leave so when I actually went back she was settling and I could concentrate on work. It meant my last 2 weeks off were stressful but the house was cleaned from top to bottom and going back was easier knowing that she was happy. good luck

[edam]

Ds went to nursery at 7 months old. First few days we had some wobbles but he really flourished there and as dunscared said, didn't want to come home! (When he was a bit tearful about being left, I hung around outside where he couldn't see me but I could hear him and he quietened down as soon as I'd gone.)

[pelvicflawed]

Thanks all - DS had his settling in session today and yesterday and all seems well (though I had a sleepless night worrying about him!)he was even smiling today when I collected him. Has his first full day tomorrow and then three days next week. I've started him in nursery a few weeks before I go back so that I can be sure he is ok before starting work. Not sure what I'll do with my child free days - I think the house is probably begging for a spring clean!!!!

[bambino1]

My dd was 7 months when she started nursery and she has thrived in all ways possible. She is now 2.5yrs and is much more advanced than expected of her age and I give most of the credit to the nursery. Hope your experience with your nursery is a good one and a great start to your little ones future.

[morningpaper]

You might have a lot of crying at this age when you leave him, so brace yourself for that. That's just the age they are at - he will need to make new attachments to his new carers.

Both of mine went to nursery from 6 months and from 9 months - both have thrived more than I would have thought possible. My youngest one occasionally cries when I take her home and bangs on the door trying to get back in .

The main thing is that you are happy with the nursery. Good luck.

[Butkin]

Our DD went from 6 months and is still there aged 4 (today). She has gone for 3 1/2 days each week and since September has dropped back to 3 days at regular Nursery and 1 1/2 days at Big School Nursery to get her used to that place and her future class mates.

She loves the teachers and all the pupils. She constantly gets asked to parties (this is something you'll have to get used to!) and brings loads of art and baking home each day.

She does lots of things we'd not be able to teach her such as swimming, different styles of art, music and since she was 3 they have been getting in a lady to teach them Spanish for an hour a week. It is scary that she now speaks far more Spanish than us and we are struggling to keep up with her!

Nurserys, in our experience of two different ones, have been great. She shares well, eats well, plays enthusiastically and at weekends she recreates Register, Reading Aloud, Lunch, Tidy Up Time etc with her dolls!

[lemonaid]

DS (now 2) started at about that age and has loved it. We had a few tears to start with (although not anywhere near as bad as I'd been imagining), and he's been a bit unsettled for a week or so each time he's moved up a room, but he's really sincerely attached to several of the carers and is fond of the other children (we're starting to see the beginnings of cooperative play).

They do lots of great messy play with him, they have a big garden where we have a small roof terrace, he's very sociable (DH and I have never been good in social situations, so this has been a very encouraging feature for us) and has learned to share and take turns beautifully. There are loads of books and toys and they sing songs and talk about stuff and well he just generally loves it.

[sunnyjim]

DS gets alot out of his nursery. He has been going since he was 16 months (nanny prior to that) so older than your LO but I do think that a good nursery can be fantastic for kids and babies.

He still does have the odd mizzle when I drop him off but he is smiling and happy when i pick him up and he has no hesitation in going into the room - all good signs for me.

His development is well supported, the staff are caring, they have a fantastic routine, no TV for under 3's. good sleeping areas, home cooked food and they cater brilliantly for DS milk free diet.