Just Started Preschool-Advice on Easing the Transition?

I started my kids in day care at 21 months (boy) and 39 months (girl) They started going 1 day a week for 3 hours. they didnt cry the first day cause they didnt know that I was leaving. They screamed the second day. and the third.. Tehy cried for 6 drops offs. and then they were fine.

I started them at day care becasue I was starting a part time job.. so they went for 1/2 days for about 8 weeks before I started myjob. They now are at day care 2 days a week for about 9 hours.

My son loves day care -- he tells me he loves Megan and sherri (his teachers) he asks to go to school on days when I am not working... My daughter hates school and asks when schooll will be all done. She looks anxious when I drop her off.

I do think day care is fine for ages 2 and up. I did have a nanny when my kids were young.. there is absolutely no benefit for a baby in day care.. But ages 2 and up they do like to play with kids and they learn things..

My only suggestion for drop off is toleave quickly... the longer you stay the more upset they get .. just hand them off to the teacher and leave.

I agree with the other poster, who said ask the teacher how they are when you leave. I have a friend whos daughter cried in the morning before preschool, and as soon as she left and her daughter went in with the teacher she stopped crying. You know they will be okay, so I would just pry them off of you, give them kisses and let them go. If they see that you are worried, it will just fuel them. It mind sound mean, but we have to let our kids grow up. I think it is a good thing for kids to be away from their parents, especially why they are younger. It will definately help them when they are ready for all day school. There were quite a few kids last year in my daughters class, who cried all the time, and their parents told me that they never leave their kids. It only hurts the kids. Just give it some time, I'm sure they will adjust soon. By the way it took my friends daughter about one month to stop crying last year, and this year it took her 3 days.

Hi S.!

I would talk to their teacher and see how they react after you leave. It may be that as soon as you are out of sight they settle in and are fine. It could just be their personalities. My son went to preschool at 2 and couldn't have cared less if I was there or not. He has always been very easy when it comes being away from me.

My daughter, on the other hand, is not so happy when I leave her. I started easing her into being left by going to the gym and letting her play in the child care area. I only left her for about 45 and she would cry. When I picked her up she would be happy to see me and perfectly fine. That lasted about a week and she finally stopped cryin. Now I can leave her for over an hour and she is fine. It just takes time! Keep talking with the teachers and let them help guide you!

I personally think that it's best for children to be around their parents. It sounds like they have lots of interaction with kids. I'd go back to the nanny again and not worry about school till they're older.. Kindergarten age even.