2 y.o 1st day at nursery..what to do?

[snowybaby]

this thursday will be the first my 2 y.o ds will be at nursery. we had this settling session for 1 hr last week and ds seems to loving it but start crying whenever i was out of his sight. i've tried to hide when he was happy playing but will start crying less than 3 mins. what to do when he stat his session this thursday? should i stay with him in the nursery or just say goodbye and leave? please help.

Are you leaving him all day or a half day on Thursday? I would suggest trying at least another short session of 2-3 hours before going a whole day. Be very flexible and don't go too far away if you have the option, in case he gets very upset and you need to come back. I would take him in on the day and settle him then tell him you are going for a cup of tea (in the staff room) or to the toilet and see how he gets on with you away but with a clear understanding that you will come back. Then try and have the tea time away and see how long he will go before he cries etc.

I've done this twice (2 nurseries) with my DS and it took a few days before he got used to it, the trick in the end was to drop him, take off coat etc and engage him in his fav game/toys cars etc so then leave and come back in a few hours. Make a big fuss and give him a treat, trip to the park, lolly, sticker whatever for being good.

Unfortunately it will be difficult because you will feel guilty and he will cry but the best thing is to keep the session short but make sure you give them time (nursery staff) to manage him and only go back if he is very distressed. They both need a chance to settle and get to know each other and there are going to be tears. Try not to show you are upset. It is tricky for a week or so but should settle down. Trust the nursery staff and ask them to be honest and be patient with them and your DS, let me know how it goes. Good luck.

Don't hide, ever.

It makes them very insecure - as you say, whenever you were out of his sight, he cried.

Best to say that you'll be back in a little while, that DS is to play with all these lovely toys and say goodbye. Then go.

However, it may be that he's too upset for you to go and stay away long - don't see it as a failure for either of you if he only manages ten minutes, 20 minutes, etc before you go back. Just increase the time you're away gradually (if that's feasible).

Are you going to work while he's there?

He will be going for half session, twice week, tuesday and thursday. supposed to start yesterday but ds woke up late and i didn't an to rush him on his 1st day. I am not working. I'm thinking of DH to send him instead of me as I got to tag along ds2 if I have to stay. it will be chaos then if I got to deal if both of them crying. But Dh said i have to be in the car in case ds1 is distressed as DH can't stay too long.