Shy baby - would you use a childminder?

[french929]

My son has just turned one and is quite nervous around new people. He will often get a bit tearful when people address him directly or make a fuss. I'm not sure whether it's separation anxiety, a lack of socialisation due to the pandemic or a bit of both.

Now he's a bit older I'm considering putting him with a childminder for one day a week, but I'm worried that he may not be ready for the reasons I mentioned above.

Is it worth giving it a go, or would you wait until he's a bit older and has had a chance to socialise more with me alongside him?

I'm unsure what to do!

This reaction is really normal at his age. All children go through it at some stage so I wouldn’t worry about thinking he’s shy.

Socialisation at this age really isn’t all that important as they don’t really interact much until closer to 2, even when altogether in a group setting. One day a week anywhere is hard and usually 2-3 is better for them settling in and building relationships. I’d look instead for a playgroup or COVID safe toddler activities if you don’t need him to be in childcare (unless of course you just want a break, which is a also perfectly good reason).

My dd was 10 months when we went into the first lockdown. By the end of it, she was so bad with people, I couldn't talk to another person in the street without her kicking off. She's my third so I am convinced it was due to the lack interaction/socialisation. My other 2 were never that bad. Anyway, in September, when she was 16 months old, she started going to a childminder at first for one morning but that didn't work out as once a week is just not enough (too long between seeing her again) so we switched it to 2 mornings. There just wasn't enough baby groups open in my area to get her out with others.
It's been one of the best decisions I made. She's so much better and independent now.
I had another baby in August (7 months now) and I'm really hoping that by September, there will be more stay and plays /groups open. If there isn't, I won't hesitate to send him to a childminder for a couple of mornings as well.

My little boy was the same at that age. And honestly I had no choice but to start him at nursery due to returning to work, and he hated it. He never settled. I was thrilled to be able to pull him out during lockdown (not thrilled about the circumstances of course, but felt it was beneficial to him to have an extended period at home). He’s just gone back to nursery after a year at home and he’s finally “ready” to be left there. He’s 3 years 4 months. Some kids just don’t settle well in a nursery environment and in hindsight I should have tried harder to find a childminder.