To have such bad mum guilt that ds was the last one at nursery today

[Likeabrokencup]

Obviously someone has to be the last but seeing him on his own made me feel so sad for him …. He’s fine right!?

Don't give it another thought. I managed a nursery for many years and a good nursery have ways of managing children being picked up last so that it is not upsetting. I mainly worked with the older, 3-5, age group and would manage it by giving the child the very 'important' job of helping to set up for breakfast for the next day. It always worked. One parent was left very bemused when they were told by their child that they would have to wait because they had an important job to do before they went home. Anxiety around these things always comes from the parent, children are usually absolutely fine.

My DS used to love being the last one at nursery. They usually gave him extra biscuits especially on a Friday.

DD does 1-6 at nursery every day. I cut it fine each day and get to the nursery between 5:57-6pm. DD is ALWAYS the last one. She has a blast being in the room for a few minutes by herself.

There was one time when I was 5 minutes late and they took DD out of the nursery room for her to wait in the hall with the bigger kids (they have an After school club too) and she was so upset. That was the only time I felt bad because it’s as if she thought she had been left behind! In a situation like yours though, you did nothing wrong so don’t feel bad

He was setting out the breakfast things! He has a huge tantrum at bed time though (he doesn’t normally) so I think we was tired

My DD is always the last to be collected, others get collected at 5:30 and she leaves at 6 (due to mine and DH’s work commitments). She LOVES it, she gets all the attention. So I really wouldn’t worry!

YANBU to feel bad, but I bet that he forgot all about being last as soon as he saw you!!

I’m assuming you mean an hour after closing, not just being the last one there by an hour?

If nursery is open until 5:30 but all of the other children are gone by 4:15 then there’s still nothing I can do about it!

DD used to love being the last/one of the last ones at nursery as she used to love 'helping' to clear up and having the staff to herself. Try not to feel bad.

For a different take, my middle child loved being the last one as he got a 1-2-1 story and quality time with his keyworker. If we ever picked him up early he used to cry being taken away whilst all his friends were still playing!

He's probably have got lots of e yes attention and cuddles from the staff and loved of!

When picking DC up from primary school each evening, DC2 is often the last one to be collected from their classroom
This is purely due to the layout of the school & DC1s classroom being the furthest point from DC2s classroom. Hopefully it'll be easier in September 🤞🏻

Someone has to be last. Mine used to like it as they moved them to one room so different toys and children and more staff. Helping set breakfast things is nice.

DD is almost always the last one to be collected on a Friday night (she only goes twice a week so I work longer days those 2 days). She loves it, thinks she's the boss when she's there alone and helps clean the guinea pigs out.

There is far far worse mum guilt to come I'm afraid. You need to grow a thicker skin I'm afraid.

There may be sports days you can't attend, miss school plays etc.

You are funny. (Said kindly!) My dc loved being the last to be picked up. They would get so much attention from the staff, special 'jobs', TV time - they would sometimes complain that I wasn't late enough!

Mine was always one of the last (sometimes 3-4 of them left, sometimes just him). He used to love it - more time with the toys to himself, and more adult attention from his key workers. I frequently used to get 'Not yet mummy, I'm busy' when I walked in 😂

Mine were first in and last out most days they were in. Someone has to be. You weren't late, which is the main thing.

Op the fact you even have thought about this shows what an amazing mum you are and how lucky your little boy is to have you! Someone has to be last yes, it won't always be you but if it is sometimes that's absolutely fine. He's safe and he's loved. For what it's worth when I was little my mum passed out ( from a UTI ) and was late collecting me. I'm 28 now and she still remembers it! I definitely don't remember at all, he won't think anything of it ❤

That's so sad about the non-verbal 3 year old and I imagine it was really hard for you, too :(

So presumably I should be feeling terrible all the time because my child is always the last to be picked up? This is due to work/travel time and only just having enough time to collect. Emergency services so not a job I can finish early.

Your child will be fine.

I felt bad about ds being in after school club when he'd just started school full time, (nursery was 3 days a week and one of those only until 3:30) , so one day I skipped lunch moved things around and rushed to pick him up early. He cried because he wanted to go to after school club with his friends!
He'll be fine.

Have a cup of tea or something please. Yabu.

My DCs were usually the last ones. DD liked it because she got lots of attention and knew I was about to arrive. Not sure what DS thought, but he seemed happy enough. As long as you’re not late, I can’t see this is a problem!

Don't feel bad, I once picked my DC up at 4.45 pm on a Friday and he was the last one and the staff were eagerly waiting to go home and acting as if I was late (they are open until 6!)

I feel like mine is regularly the last one picked up, regardless of how early I get there after 5pm when I finish work. Constant guilt. What are all these jobs that finish before 5?!