Help - any tips on settling an 8 month old with childminder?

[melsam]

I would be really grateful if anyone has any tips on settling an 8 month old with a childminder. My ds is normaly a really happy chap, who only cries if he's in pain, tired, humgry - all the usual. However, I currently have to leave him with a childminder who 4/5 days per week. I prepared the ground by leaving him for 1/2 days for 2 weeks & all seemed to go well - he settled great. Since I have left him for full days he has become quite distressed, he cries on & off all day & sometimes refuses to eat. He does have good days but today I collected him early as he had been crying for 1 1/2 hours.

We have tried all sorts of things - leaving familiar toys, more walks & different approaches when dropping him off. I am trying to work shorter days & taking more time off. Has anyone any new ideas??

I am getting increasingly upset, I hate the thought of him crying, I feel terribly guilty. Has anyone else had this problem?? Thanks.

Hi Tillysmummy - that tip wasn't for you! I don't think you've posted anything preachy have you? But the welcome is certainly for you too!

Silly me Have to say I have got absolutely NO work done today !!! So glad it's Friday ...

Well she shouldn't have called me a bitch then!

Me too! DD has been doing my head in today. When dh comes back from work he can take over! She's in bed at the minute, and I dread having to get her up in 2 mins, she's got her 'annoying' head on!

Sorry undiscovered, we've moved on a bit now. No point in holding grudges children!

Rhubarb, Im actually at work today and getting paid for chatting to all of you I feel very naughty - my dd is at home with my mummy probably running her a right song and dance ! Looking forward to seeing her - always race home to big smiles and flappy arms. She looks like a bird flying when she does this !

LOL! My dd does that to my dh when he comes home - I feel a bit taken for granted at times! Still, she is lovely and I suppose I must go and get her up! We're making play-dough this afternoon!

Rhubarb,we'll miss your chat. Have a good afternoon xx

When I read Undiscovered's first post I thought uh-oh here we go again. I've taken a deep breath and calmed down. All I will say is that I work full time, but no way do I have pots of cash. I can't afford one holiday let alone three. Wish I could though lol!

Hi all, firstly a huge thanks for the responses. I have given EmmaM & Allibubbles advice a lot of thought & you have helped to make my mind up to take action - I began looking for child care when I was 4 months pregnant & visited about a dozen nurseries & interviewed about 7 childminders. The childminder I chose is a lovely person but I'm not sure ds thinks the same. I am now in the process of searching again for a new place for him. Thanks Marina for your response - it's not just me that gets it wrong! In the meantime we are going to ensure that ds is left for shorter days and shorter weeks.
As for the response from undiscovered - well I expected at least one response like that. I echo the thoughts of many who also don't have much choice/think it's good for our cherubs to mix with others & I also think that I am still a woman in my own right as well as being a mum. I am making the assumption that you too are female - why is it that the most harsh critics of women are women themselves. I don't want to go on about the subject but suffice to say I love my ds to distraction and along with my partner am going through hell with this problem. Please think before making such harsh comments.