Long post alert....
My 2.5 year old DS started nursery 2 weeks ago, four mornings a week. He hasn't been to one before, having been looked after by my parents while I'm at work.
It's a small nursery, only 9 kids between 2.5 and 4 years, on a farm, and run by two lovely ladies.
There are a few tears each morning but he will usually go off with one of the ladies and have a cuddle, while I leave. The ladies that run it say he gets very tired but he doesn't spend the whole time sobbing, and I think enjoys being there overall, although he doesn't exactly beg me to take him!
However, he is clearly quite deeply affected by the whole experience, as he has suddenly started to refuse most foods (is generally not that fussy an eater) other than porridge, toast, plain yoghurt and fruit (oh and I'm sure he would happily scoff as many sweets, crisps and chocolate as he could get if I let him!) He also has noticeable separation anxiety when we are at home together, for example if I leave the room. And he has regressed quite a lot with using the toilet.....especially number twos (bleurgh).
So far, so normal......but my dilemma is, do I keep taking him 3 or 4 mornings a week (I think the consensus is less than 3 mornings and they don't tend to settle well) and see how it goes? Or take him out and try again in a few weeks? I don't want to traumatise him forever! But he really needs the socialisation, as in general he struggles to socialise with other children.
Anyone else have a similar experience?