Starting Nursery 🥺
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If he’s playing, just slip off honestly he’ll be fine. I did this back in August for settling in sessions and she started in September at 18 months & loves it, and plays, and comes home so tired cause she’s been so busy doing things! You’ve got the normal nerves. And I thought leaving for that hour was going to be awful, I sat in car for the first one in car park but no one rang & there was no tears at all xxx
I would definitely say goodbye or you’ll get a meltdown when he realises you’re gone . It’s about building trust with your little one that you will be back - say something like mummies just popping to get a drink I’ll be back soon . My little one has nearly been at Nursey a year - it’s tough at first but it’s so good for them. We still have the off day where he’ll cry but it’s on the whole a great experience xx
Mine isn’t in nursery so I can’t advise but please don’t just slip off without saying goodbye. It actually creates hyper vigilance and more anxiety in the child. Let them sit with those feelings- it’s hard to say goodbye.
Commenting again, sorry... My kid settled quicker and was easier to manage if I didn't say goodbye when she was very little (13-14m) Which was hard because I didn't want to just quietly slip away. But settling sessions failed (early pickup) when I said goodbye and didn't when I slipped away. I'd always go for saying goodbye/come back soon if you can especially as their older now. You don't need to get it perfect either way. And some kids (like mine) just don't ever want to walk away from their parents if they don't have to, others can confidently walk into another carers arms. It doesn't mean you've done anything wrong, it's just your child's unique temperament. And it doesn't mean they hate the nursery or carers or are being neglected
My little girl cry’s every time I drop off, but I always give her a kiss and say ‘bye bye, mummy will see you later’ xx
I would say don’t assume they will be upset and they will pick up on your nerves. My daughter started 2 days a week when she was one, she has genuinely never cried once at drop off and toddles in so happily, without looking back! He will love it in time, even if he struggles at first. Good luck! X
It's tough and I'm speaking as a parent whose child still cries at drop off a year later... Say goodbye but make it quick. They WILL just keep crying while you say goodbye, but once you're gone their carers will move them on to distraction. The longer the goodbye, the longer they will cry, son don't linger or keep giving hugs and kisses. I find it helpful for both of us to say I'll come back later, so she knows I'm coming back.