14 month old started nursery this week!

[hahavzv]

she has started settling in this week. 1 hr 4 days a week. The first day I stayed with her. Second day I left her for about 15 mins. Third day, left her for half an hour and today for an hour. Just before I was going pick her up I got a phone call from the nursery to say she’s really upset.

please tell me it gets better. She is due to stay 6 hours at the nursery in 2 weeks time. I feel so bad! Really considering a career break 😢😢😢

she’s refused to eat and not eating much now.

Persist unless you have a choice not to work. My little one cried constantly for a week and refused to eat in nursery and then she was fine. It was a horrible week but I didn’t get the choice not to work. She’s now 5 and gets on with everything and everyone. Nursery is so good for them

I promise it gets better!! Mine was about 13 months when she went to nursery - super clingy baby and does 10-4 three days a week... It ended up being harder for me than for her! She's been there since end of Jan and she's done so well there. She's coming back out though as I'm going back on maternity leave shortly, but she went from crying at every drop off to now she goes in quite happily (well, she doesn't cry!). She's still very clingy but the nursery are so lovely and reassuring, sending pictures, always offering for us to call if we're worried etc. It helps with the nicer weather as well as she's outside loads and more distracted that I'm not there!

It does get better - the time flies. And what helps is learning their schedule... That made me feel better. For example, my one gets in at 10ish, then has lunch at 1130, naps generally from 12-1, plays, has tea at 3 and then by the time that's finished, it's time for pick up! So actually, it's full of play, eating, a nap and then home time. That made me feel much better about sending her when it was broken down like that.

Good luck OP - it's a horrible feeling but I promise it gets better ❤️