| Although I'm the only one working right now, when my husband was
working a temporary job for three weeks, we went through this with
my 3.5 year old also. He went to the same daycare center he & my
daughter to before when my husband was working about a year ago.
Of course, there are new caretakers and new children. The first week
went smoothly. He was excited because he felt he was going to school
like his bigger sister. But then, the second and third week was very
stressful. Whenever my husband or I dropped him off in the morning,
he did not want us to go to work (especially me because he is in the
stage of mama's boy). All I could do to help him out was pretty much
what you did. I told him I would much rather stay home with them but
I had to go to work and that I would always be back to pick him up.
The "picking him up" statement seemed to reassure him sometimes. It's
as hard on me to leave him crying or sad when I leave him at the daycare.
I sometimes peek back in to see if he would settle down.
There's even a book that I read to him about this exact situation and
it seems to be his favorite also because he can relate. If you would
like the name of the book, I will get it and enter it.
Karen
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| Has anything changed recently? Usually when AJ became clingy it was a
real clear signal that something was going on either at daycare or
home. Have you two been having some conflict, or "serious" discussions
recently at home. Has there been something else going on like
overnight business trips, or plans to go away (with or without him)?
Has something changed at daycare?, teachers, a new center, even
something new in their attitude? Are you expecting, or planning on a
new sibling? Off the wall as these may sound, I've found that kids can
sense so many things, without you even being aware.
Have you changed his daycare schedule, full time to partime and back to
full time again, do you leave him home with a relatively new sitter?
I'd say just try to take an objective look at his environment, there
may be something going on. When you drop him off at daycare take as
much time as you need so he doesn't get the feeling you're too rushed
to spend some time with him. At my son's daycare they have a "breakfast
club" for kids who want to bring their breakfast with them and eat
there, last week I walked in to see a father sitting at the little
table eating waffles right beside his 4 year old, would you be able to
try something like this?
Sending warm thoughts your way!
Lyn
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| I went through the samething with my 3 yr old. He either
wouldn't let me leave the house or he insisted to go to
work with me. I told him that I must work to bring home
money to support him and his sister. He told me that his
Daddy makes lots money already and his Daddy will support
all of us :-)). The phase lasted about 1 month, he then
back to normal. He now still asks me in the morning will
I stay home today. But at least, he won't throw a tantrum
if my answer is no. He only did this to me and never to
his Daddy.
Wendy
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| Everything seems to be the same here and at daycare. I work
very hard to keep changes in the environment at a minimum. And
this doesn't happen every day, it's just that when it does happen
it breaks my heart. He loves his daddy so. I want to comfort
him, at the same time helping him understand that this is necessary
to our survival. how long does this phase last?
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