My 9.5 month old daughter is suddenly afraid of anybody who is not me or her father. She screams uncontrollably at anyone else!
I know it is a phase, BUT next week I am starting to teach a new fitness class and will leave DD with the gym daycare for a little over an hour. I don't want her to be in there screaming the whole time!
Any advice?
G.,
I would go tomorrow to the daycare and stay with her and just play. Maybe if she gets used to the new play area and people with you part of it she won't be so upset when you leave her there.
L. M
has she been in the gym daycare before? if not i would bring her there a few times bfore you start teaching class and leave for 5 min and if she hasn't calm down by then try again and again and each time make it a little longer
Hi G.! Yes, this is a phase, but babies to toddlers go through this off and on a lot during their first couple of years! My three year old still gets upset when we leave her with babysitters who are family and people she loves! Anyway, I would definitely bring her there a few times if you can, and stay with her while she plays and gets to know some of the women who work in the day care (try to take her while the people who will be with her are there, if possible). Then, when you finally do drop her off, get there early enough so you can engage her with a toy or game in the day care, and make sure one of the sitters is playing with her. Once her attention is focused on the toy and hopefully the other person, quietly slip out the door. If you make a big deal about leaving, she will sense it and perhaps get scared. Also, remember that even if she does scream for a little while, if the day care staff is experienced and good at their job, they will know how to distract her and get her into the interesting things in the room so she will eventually stop crying. It might be tough the first few times, but after a while she'll associate the room with fun and she won't be as afraid or anxious. It is a process for sure but it will work out in the end. Both my girls are in day care all year except for summer (I have it off since I am a teacher) and at the end of every summer I bring them back to get them remembering the place and the teachers. They are a little hesitant at first but they surprise me with their resiliency once school starts, even my 14 month old, who definitely prefers me over other people! Good luck and have fun with your class!
