Separation anxiety at the childminders- HELP!

[DetentionGrrrl]

I've just picked up DS from another free settling-in session at our childminders. The first time he went for two hours a couple of weeks ago, he loved it- played with other kids, happy when i picked him up.

Since then he's developed an understanding of DP and i leaving the room etc. When i went to collect him this afternoon, he had cried the whole 2 hours and was generally very upset. Now we are home, he is happy and playing again.

What can i do to help him with this? I don't go back to work until March, so we have some time to play with.

One thing i thought i could do is start to give him lunch / snacks at the same time the childminder usually does, so that his day has a familiar structure.

He's 7 1/2mths, and already trying to walk, so i think he may be beyond a familiar blanket etc.

think you probably need to do settling in more often and build it up - 2 weeks is a very long time. I'd be inclined to arrange tues / thurs every week until you return to work, with the week before you go back be a t least the full day.

I'd also be inclined to arrange the hours to include the cms walk to school if she does the school run or taking part in another activity (? toddler grp) - it will break the time and give an opportunity to leave the house.

I know you have asked for no suggestions re comfort blankets, but something that smells of you, maybe a piece of muslin would be useful as cm can put over her shoulder when she is trying to comfort him.

we also just visited for a coffee once a week where I stayed and chatted for an hour - think this helped with getting used to the surroundings.

he will settle and will no doubt do so before you return to work. both my dds did cm for a month building up from a few hours to a whole day before returning to work. Yes they did cry but soon settled andwere very happy to be there once the month was up.

also don't believe you should change your routines to match the cm's.
not sure if any of that is of any use.

Hmm, perhaps i'll start him at childminders earlier than i go to work- ie pay her for 2 days a week until i return.

i'm not adverse to a blankie- it's just i think he's not going to be happy accepting one. I did pack him a couple of toys and a book he likes

I know it's just a phase, but it was really distressing seeing him like that, and i can't imagine it was fun for childminder too.

Message withdrawn