Going back to work and leaving my 4 month old in nursery - advice and reassurance please!

[PinkPetal]

I'm going back to full-time work in a few weeks, and my gorgeous boy is going into nursery (he'll only be 17 weeks old). I am absolutely dreading leaving him, and am crying myself to sleep with worry. Can anyone reassure me that he will be fine and nursery is a good thing?

My dd2 is slightly older than your ds, (she is 8 months) but she will be starting at nursery very shortly.

I found the best way (have been through this with dd1 as well) is to be as confident as you can. Accept that you have made the decision to return to work (or perhaps your circumstances mean that this is the way it has to be).

I am sure that you have explored your childcare options and chosen what you believe to be the best for your son. The first day I dropped dd1 off and drove to work, I felt fine. I then thought "ooh I am meant to feel sad and guilty"...I quickly accepted that this was the way things were and both she and I (and dh) were fine.

I have been extremely happy with the care my dd1 has received at nursery, and she is 4.4 years now. It has been like a 2nd family for her. She started off in the smallish baby room with some very caring staff and she settled very quickly.

I work shifts so my dh was able to spend time with her in the evenings etc when I was at work.

Hope all goes well for you. One more thing, in rl I had one or 2 disapproving "friends" If that is the case for you, keep away; no one needs so-called friends undermining them.

Hi, ds was 9mths when he started with cm - now 11 and a very happy, secure and bright little boy. dd1 was 3 months (3 MONTHS!!!! ) when she started nursery. She is now five and is very bright, happy and secure. dd2 has just started nursery at 6mths. It's horrible to start with - with ds I wanted to give up work within a week, but it will be fine and you son will be fine, don't worry. Good luck xxx