Full on tantrums when going to daycare

Following because mine starts preschool this summer

My nephew cried so much that he could only stay until like 12, nap time. He’s 4 now and goes to school with no issues. His behavior gets more extreme, because he has learned that you will take him home when he cries. Let him stay for the 3 hours and eventually he will stop

@Erika thank you! I can’t even get him in the car, he refuses to get in and it gets worse and worse every time 😭

Pick that baby up and take him to school. He will learn to stay, just give it time. I know it’s hard now but he will adjust.

For kids when starting something new or out of the normal routine can be shocking and from my experience needs to kinda be leaned into an abrupt change from being with mommy all the time to new ppl new rules and new routine can be very stressful and he may not understand wats happening when I started my kids in preschool I'd often spend the first little bit in the room with them and guid them to this new norm I have always been a stay at home mom so for me this wasn't a problem where as if u r a working mom it could be a little more difficult to help lean them into it at 2 they r at the hight of there parental attachment and when mom is suddenly not there they can get confused or feel lost making them comfortable with these new ppl and situations takes alot of patience and guidance and can be a little difficult I would recommend looking something up like tips n tricks to helping ur child transition to child care some kids adapt really well and quickly while others like my youngest won't put up with any of it

Sounds like separation anxiety. Tell him where you're taking him, how long he'll be there, and when you'll be back all before even getting to the car. Try a toy in the car, sing songs while you drive, come up with a secret handshake or something to do at drop off. Then at drop off, get him engaged in an activity, give a quick, confident goodbye and leave. If you hem and haw and delay leaving he'll think he can cry hard enough to not have to stay. Tell him "I'll be back before/after [specific activity in the daycare day]. I love you. Have so much fun!" Another thing that may help is using a marker or eye liner pencil to draw a heart on his hand or arm where he can easily see it and one on your hand so he has a visual reminder of you, your love, and that you are coming back for him.

Unless something is wrong then you need to take him there, give him a kiss and leave. If you keep giving in he'll never get used to the situation. I understand you don't want to see your baby cry but again how will he learn you don't let him go?

My toddler did this when she was going to daycare 3 days a week. On the other hand my baby who started daycare at 7 months did just fine. Now they are both on a 5 days schedule and doing much better.

@Naz thank you for sharing. I think I’m a little late to the game then. My sons name is also Aiden

We use a drop in daycare twice a week and it is quite routine. Same days and same hours every week. We had one entire month, after 3 months of regularly going, where he would cry and scream and cling to me. This place has a 20 minute cry rule. So he would cry for 20 minutes, then I’d have to take him home and find a way to work. Here’s what I did: Drop offs and pick ups were super emotional but I put on a brave face for him even though I was so stressed out. I hyped the place up on the drive there, talked to him about how much fun he was going to have, that “Mommy and Dad work, and I know it can be a little scary at first, but we ALWAYS come back because we love you.” Sometimes gave him fun road trip bribe snacks. Did drop off quickly and confidently. About a month later it stopped. It’s so hard not to reinforce the separation anxiety, especially if they have a cry rule, but if you push through it WILL eventually end. For your own mental health, remember that everything is a phase ❤️

Of course if you feel something is off about the people/place that’s totally different. And every child needs different levels of nurturing. But if your gut is saying it’s separation anxiety in my experience it paid off to push through. My son is super independent and never had separation anxiety with me. Either way, it will end and you’ll be better prepared for future phases like this ☺️ You got this!