I'm back to work.....26 month old ds being hard work....naughty step.....

[ETsmum]

Will try not to ramble as much as the title!!

I've just started back to work part time this week (15 hrs, happy with the job and hrs.) BUT my 26 month old ds I THINK may be a bit anxious about it. Childcare is shared between my mum and dad, in-laws and a friend with a granddaughter that my ds knows wall. He is fine when left with all these people - the grandparents he sees almost daily anyway.

I think he may be anxious as he has been really trying when at home, esp today.......the demand from home til bedtime (on and off) was for chocolate (which he isn't usiually that fussed about!) He didnt eat hardly any tea, therefore no choc til he'd had sometheing "proper." Long and short of it is that in the end he did eat something and get his choc. BUT it realy made me think about using thre naughty step as he just wouldn't take no for an answer.

I guess my questions are: has anyone else had bad behaviour on their return to work after a break of a similar time (just over 2 yrs.) If so tips for dealing with.....I love my ds to bits and hate seening his behaviour like this as he is pretty good (normally) as 2 yr olds go!

And, if you use the naughty step (thinking Supernanny!) what do yuo use it for (what sorts of naughtiness do you think need it?) And if they get up before the 2 mins or wahtever, I know you put them back, but does the 2 mins start again?

Any advice/moral support appreciated it (don't think I was the best mum )

May not have time to post til tomorrow (due to work and being desperate for an early night!)

I think that maybe he is coming to terms with the new routine. Although he knows the people caring for him he has had you all to himself for the last 2 and a bit years- he's probably thinking how dare she leave me!
I reckon all children this age have their off days (or months in the case of my dd ) perhaps its just a coincidence that its happening when you've gone back to work.
If I was you be firm with your behaviour boundaries, use the naughty step if needs be but follow it with a new activity to change or distract the way he's thinking.

Thanks Sallyc Just needed a bit of reassurance...think going back to work has made me feel a bit "fragile." As you said, part of it could just be coincidence. Anyway, only doing a half day today, so going to try to be really patient and do smething fun this am.

Thanks as well for saying "be firm" with the behaviour. I KNOW that's what I've got to do, but found it really hard last night.....,just wanted to give in as felt like mean mummy for deserting him all day I know being consistant for him is the key though. I think I need to let him wash over me a bit sometimes so I don't get so wound up!