Sending 16 month old to nursery

[alwayslotsofquestions]

I have just got a job two days a week, little boy starting nursery 2 days 9am to around 3- 3.30pm.
I feel terrible for doing it and I dont know why? He was fine at the settling in visits but Tuesday he cried at drop off but then the lady said he was fine half an hour later.
Finances have been terrible so I have luckily got my old job back but now have terrible guilt about my baby going to nursery so young.

It's hard but a fact of life for every working parent who needs to use a nursery.
My DD never loved it, but it was a necessary evil and got her exposed to different people, foods, toys and enrichment. I had to go back to work when she was less than a year old.
You're providing for your child and safeguarding your own financial security and independence. Those are very good things.

It’s definitely a positive.

You need to work for financial reasons.Your child is going to a safe environment with professional looking after him.

It will help with his development, he’ll interact with other children, developing his social skills. Forming relationships, making friends, learning new skills. These are all good things.

Don’t feel terrible. It’s a good thing you’re doing.

Just do it. He willl be fine

It is so hard when you first leave your little one at nursery but they generally do really well. Mine both went at 13 months as I went back to work. There may be the odd day when they cry for a couple of minutes but generally they were fine and overall loved it. They do so much stuff there that I could never do at home.

Do make sure you like the nursery as that does make a difference but mine went to different ones and we loved both tho they were very different.

actually I think younger is probably better. If they don’t go young then I think it can be difficult to send them before they are 3-4 as they are more aware.

If he doesn’t settle in over a prolonged period tho I would consider a different setting as just like with adults some setting suit one person more than another.

well done for getting your job back xxx

Thanks everyone, he did cry this morning when I dropped him off and they sent me a message in half hour saying he has settled and was playing when I picked him up he was crying. He also always cries when he sees me.
It is so hard isnt it , I feel bad but I feel like he is getting lots of play and lots going on at nursery and I need to work to pay bills but then I also want him with me but thats not possible, my mind is on such overdrive all the time.

At both my kids nurseries I was able to peer in through a window after I left and so I could see that they alway stopped crying almost instantly. It was reassuring to be able to check tho. It is a transition for them but one they generally make fine pretty quickly.

but I do know how hard it is. I still find it difficult leaving him sometimes - it’s against instinct as a parent but deep breaths and it should all be fine xxx