DS cries (in a clingy way) at pick up

[Maria2007loveshersleep]

Hi everyone, was just looking for some advice. My DS, age 2 and 3 months, started at a wonderful local nursery a month & a half ago. He goes 2 full days & 1 morning. We've been extremely happy about the nursery: no complaints.

At first DS, a very social & outgoing little boy, was so very very happy to go there, both at drop off & pick up he was enthusiastic. However, after the 1st month or so, in the last 2-3 weeks he's been reluctant- without crying- at drop off. Just seems a bit serious & 'not himself'. And nursery staff say it takes him 5 mins to 'adjust' and he's then absolutely happy there.

However, when I pick him up in the afternoon, he has had a strange reaction: crying in a 'where were you mummy' kind of way when he sees me, hugging me for a couple of minutes (while crying), and eagerly looking for his shoes / coat / bag in order to go home. This whole crying thing takes a few mins and then he happily says 'bye bye' to the staff & we're off, and he's then happy once in the car.

Is this a problem do you think (and thus is there anything I can do to ease this transition to life at nursery) or is it just normal behaviour?

This is just normal, for me anyway, both my children, and indeed most of my friends i spoke to cry at pick up time as if its the end of world for a few mins as it to say "how could u have left me here all day!!". My DS1 gew out of this by about 3 yrs, my DD is 23 months and has been going to nursery for over a year and started doing this is past few months, I'm not worried, i hung around outside the door at drop off and realised she soon forgot me and turned up early to pick up to find her happily playing.
Any doubts just surprise visit them, the staff will understand that u need peace of mind.

Flojo, many thanks, it helps to know this is quite usual. To be honest, I have no doubts about the fact that he's having a good time while at nursery- in fact, he's generally settled in extremely well. However, it stresses me out when I see him so upset at pick up, as I wonder/worry why he acts that way :(.

My DS does this (to a greater or lesser extent) when pick him up. I think it's partly to do with being tired after all their baby-work at nursery and partly because they suddenly realise they've missed you. He's also a normally loud outgoing boy, but seems quiet at nursery. I've spoken to my nursery (who are lovely) and they're taking extra photos during the day for me to reassure me that he's happy between the upsets and I saw his folder of observations and stuff for OfStEd, which showed me that he does get loud and outgoing, even if he's quiet to start with.

But don't worry, it really does sound like the normal behaviour of a securely attached child.

Its very normal. Usually caused by rush of emotions that overwhelm a little one - bit like 'i'm so exicted to see you, i miss you'.

totally normal, ime. both dds did it for a while, it's just being tired and overwhelmed. they both skipped into nursery the next day.