Terrified of Putting Son in Daycare!! Don't Even Know Where to Start????

It is totally normal to feel this way. The first day i took my daughter to daycare at 3months old. i just sat at the computer and cried. but then when i picked her up, they were so nice and told me to call anytime to check on her. Now she is 3 yrs old and loves going to daycare. when i pick her up at the end of the day, she hugs the teachers and talks nonstop about the place when she is away. what area do you live in? i took my daughter to Valley Child Care at 35th ave and Greenway..the directors Karen and Stacey are wonderful!

good luck and you'll see after the 1st day, they are fine

Hello! I felt the same exact way you did with my first son. After my leave was up and we had to take him I kept delaying leaving and finally the lady said to just go he will be fine. My husband wanted to go to breakfast afterwards and I was like are you crazy!!! LOL I just got in my car and cried and cried the entire way to work. Everyone at work was so understanding and I called about a million times. If you are with someone you trust you get over it. Of course you still want to be with him but, you realize you cant and you are doing what is best for him. I actually watch children out of my home. I have a 23 month old and a 5 month old. If you would like more information just let me know. I live off 91st ave and Bell.

I went back to school when my son was 8 months old. He was only at the sitters for about 12 hours a week - but it was very hard the first few times. I called between classes and on my way to pick him up. He was always fine but it was a very difficult adjustment to make.

If you find a good sitter - she/he won't mind if you call periodically or even show up unexpectedly during the day.

It is also very frustrating and scary to find new sitters. We moved last year and had to locate a new one. I find it best to find sitters through other parents I know and trust. I would NEVER use a public daycare - unless I had NO other option. In my opinion they are WAY over priced, too visible, and the kids are limited in activities as well as segregated into age groups.

Also, you might find some useful information here: http://arizonachildcare.org/. Questions to ask, things to look for, etc.

My son is 6 now and loves to go to sitters on occasion. What part of town are you in? I can recommend two in-home day cares - our old one at 51st Ave & Union Hills area and another closer to the Biltmore/Arcadia area (32nd St. & Indian School). Let me know!

Good luck in your studies & finding a sitter!! =))

Hello!

You are right in that it is scary to turn your child over to anyone else for any time! However, if you trust that person, it actually gets better relatively quickly. My day care was completely okay with me checking in over the phone several times in the beginning and everyone completely understood since they have been there themselves or see it every day with other moms.
We have our daughter in the Beatitudes Age Link center and we and her love it there. She is learning so much and I know that she is in very good and caring hands. They are at roughly 15th Ave and Glendale Ave if this would work for you. They may have a waiting list though, but here is their phone # ###-###-#### anyway.

All the best of luck to you both!
If you want more information, please feel free to let me know!

D.