To absolutely dread sending son to nursery?

[giraffes2021]

So little one starts nursery next month he's one in two weeks.

I think he's only been away from me for two separate days and one night overnight to which didn't go great he was unsettled for a while!!

I'm back at work so he'll be going 3 days a week with his sister but in a different room. Can't do any proper settling in sessions because of covid literally there is one session for an hour and it's just for him I can't be there.

I'm just really worried he's going to hate it he's not used to a lot of people being around anyway because of covid let alone not being with me etc. He's not been able to go grandparents much as been shielding etc so not had much time away

Anyone else's little one started around now? And how are they getting on?

Totally normal for any kid going to nursery to be worried (sure you were with your eldest) but doubly so now. Talk to the nursery about your worries. I bet you'll find every single parent sending their kids to nursery for the first time during this past year feels the same. Having his sister there will be a huge help and he will settle in eventually .

Completely normal to feel nervous and worried.

Both of my children really love nursery and it's so cute seeing photos of them playing with other little ones. My eldest is 3 now and has been going since he was 9months. He's got proper little buddies now who he talks about and gets excited to see at nursery. They really do get a lot out of it.

Mine got on surprisingly well. Was visibly enjoying herself on her third visit. (There's a window we can see through when picking up). But we did 4 settling in sessions where I stayed with her for at least 30 mins each time. Our nursery has been doing that throughout the pandemic. Who knows how much difference it makes to the baby, but it certainly made it easier for me!

I think you need to push for more settling in sessions. Just one without you there is rubbish.

It must be so hard at the moment, it can be difficult enough in normal times! I found that the worrying beforehand was far, far worse than the actual reality. I’m surprised they’re not offering more settling in sessions than that, could you request additional sessions which might put your mind at rest a bit?

My DS is starting in a week and he’s had 2 settling in sessions but I haven’t been able to go in. I’m finding it quite hard and feeling quite worried, it was bad enough with my eldest but at least I got to settle her in myself. I do have a friend whose child recently started and she said it’s been fine and that the nursery feedback has been that the children settle more quickly without parents.

I feel sorry for you, I cried when my youngest went to nursery the first time before covid. One session is not enough. If they wont do more I'd offer to pay for half days or something or just pay the whole day and take him out early, leaving it longer each time.

My husband did the last couple of months of mat leave and did the settling in which helped as she was still more attached to me, so it was less dramatic and less screaming at handover being dropped off by her dad, I dont know if that's an option?