How long does it take you to drop your child at nursery?

[LRDtheFeministDragon]

Not the most thrilling question, I know, but I was wondering because mine goes for afternoons when all the others in her room are on full days or mornings only, so I've never seen anyone else do the drop off. She's 17 months. I usually just plonk her on the floor, put her bag on her peg, say bye and walk off. She's been fine with this since she started, but lately she'll try to climb back onto my lap, and yesterday she actually called me back and cried about me going, so I took a bit longer talking to her and then she was fine and went to see what her key worker was doing.

I'm now worrying 1) that I am a horrible uncaring mum who should have done this from the start or 2) I'm pissing off the nursery staff by waiting until she seems happy for me to go. It's only a couple of minutes at most. What do you think?

And yes, hugely overthinking. I know. Ignore if you prefer.

I see him in, put his bag on the hook, quick word with carer if anything to say, then go. Ds cried for 3 months and then suddenly one day just walked in happy as larry.

I wouldn't worry too much, it's probably a phase - do the staff take her and distract her?

Sorry should have said I did the same when he started - the staff would prise him off me so I could go. That said he was older (about 21 months) when he started.

When they DD was little (6mths to 12mths) I’d drop her off, put bottles in the fridge, bag in cubby and advise when she woke up and last bottle/when due next. Took 5mins max. Once she stopped taking bottles, I just dropped her and her bag off and had a quick chat “she’s been a bit stroppy lately” or “she’s climbing, good luck with that”. Currently with the two (7mths and 19mths) I don’t say much about DD and just say when DS woke up and last ate. They don’t even notice when I leave.

Thanks! This is helpful.

I am sure it is just a phrase. I'm not worried about her so much as about nursery either thinking 'what a horrible woman that mother is, she just dumps her child and goes' or alternatively 'bloody hell, she was here ages'. The things you never thought you'd worry about pre-children ...!