separation anxiety....

[enfys2]

have just arrived at work sat at my desk and feel like crying. Have dropped ds (10 months)off at nursery and he cried hysterically, again. I know when i pick him up this evening he will be red eyed and exhausted from refusing sleep. usually he refuses his milk and feeds all day until mid afternoon and will cry all the 20 minute drive home. He will be clingy for the next 48 hours crying everytime i leave the room. I only put him in one day a week and have absolutely no choice over this but i spend my whole week worrying that he has to go, he picks up every bug and virus going and has had a permenant cold since christmas. I am already struggling with a mild pnd and this is just making it worse, i feel like a bad mother for leaving him when he is so young and clearly is not enjoying it (i have every faith that the nursery are doing thier best for him).
Just feel very sad that i have to leave him.... am sure the separation anxiety is on my part but i seem to spend my whole day at work looking for an excuse to pick him up early just so i know he is safe. sorry for being so pathetic does anyone else feel the same?

enfys2 - I have felt this way in the past. What worked for us was putting DS in Nursery for two half days instead of one whole day - I worked the same hours - so had not effect on work - but the shorter time at nursery helped and also going twice a week got him used to it so much quicker - is that something you could do? would work let you?

It might be possible, guess i can only ask. i think probably it would be better for both of us as he never really gets the chance like you said to get used to nursery. and i would'nt be away from him for the 10 hours a day like i currently am.

That's what made the difference for us - because a morning will go so quickly for both of you. He will not feel is is such a long day and will get used to it eventually - I am not saying the crying will stop immedately as he will have to get used to the routine - but he will benefit from being at nursery with other children for half a day twice a week - it will be great once he settles. I seriously think you should ask your employer if you can try it. It will be better for you aswell because the day will not be so long and upsetting for you - as you know you get to see him again at lunchtime. Good luck and let me know how you get on.