Working moms and daycare

Nurses General Nursing

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I want to work this summer as a NA but I feel bad leaving my kids in daycare, this is the only reason I do not work. I have a 2yr old and a 4 year old. When I put them in daycare a couple of months ago for CNA school my 2 yr old would hang on my leg and wouldnt let me go when I would try to leave. I would also hate waking my kids up really early everyday, I would feel guilty. Any moms go throught this? Any tips on making this easier or adjusting easier?

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My little one has been in daycare two days a week since she was eight weeks old and I went back to work. She loves it. Did you ask the provider how your youngest did after you left? It's a common thing for small children to pitch a fit when dropped off, but as soon and Mom and Dad are gone they're having a blast.

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Yeah they did say he did fine when I left. I guess I feel bad waking them out of their sleep. How did you do on this? Maybe just put them to bed really early, huh? I feel so guilty I dont know why.

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No, I did (do) nothing different. I would drop off Little One at just after 6 in the morning, and I almost always have to wake her up. I know she will catch up by napping during the day, so I don't worry about it.

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Ooops! I misunderstood the original post.

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My daughter went to daycare for the fall and spring while I was in school. She acted that way too for a long time when I would drop her off. Then one day it stopped. She got used to going. The key to dropping them off is not to hang around. Say goodbye and leave. Don't ever sneak out or they won't trust you. I always say bye and give a kiss and remind her that I will be back. She screamed for a while, but when you leave they do stop. This is why a lot of daycares have the mirror windows. So you can see them but they can't see you. My daughter stopped crying though a couple of months after she started going, and she is best friends with another little girl there.

As for getting up early, it is all about routine. I put my dd to bed around 7:30 or 8 and I don't wake her up until the last minute in the mornings, around 7. I get all of her stuff ready the night before so in the morning all I have to do is change her diaper and clothes. Then we go out the door. She takes about a 2-3 hour nap in the afternoon when I pick her up.

Now it is summer vacation and the first week back home was really hard. She was used to playing with the other kids and now she wants that same attention from me, and I can't give that same amount of attention. She is an only child, so I take her out to the park and I play with her outside. I get help from grandma and grandpa so that is good. I also can't get her to sleep past 7 now! I start school again in 2 weeks and we will be back on the old schedule.

Good luck. It is really hard at first. Just remember children are all about routine and it is good to have them interact with other people.

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Specializes in Education, Administration, Magnet.

I don't like leaving my daughter in daycare, but I don't have a choice. Especially when I have to be in clinicals @ 6:30. I just made sure I pick the best daycare in my town, so I know she is well taken care of. I guess you have to to what you have to do.

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I forgot to say, I don't use a "daycare" I go to a woman that is certified by the state and she operates out of her house. She watches about 7 children, so it isn't as crowded as a daycare and it doesn't cost as much.

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I guess I feel bad because my children are really shy. I was shy too as a child. But anyways they will be in daycare when Im in the nursing program this fall. I could work this summer but the daycare issue is what bothers me but you do have to do what you gotta do.

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Daycare is not for some families. I worked in daycare in my early 20's and to be honest, it was harder on the parents than the kids. Even the screamers were fine once the parents were out the door. The only kids we ever had problems with were the ones who were used to being held constantly, and they only "caused problems" because we couldn't hold them all the time.

I think my experience as a child care provider made it easier for me to send my own to daycare.

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Lizzy the best thing to do is introduce them gradually. Like I said my daughter isn't going right now, but I do take her over there occasionally just to let her play with the other children. When I do this I usually stay too and chat with the daycare provider. She feels comfortable playing while I am there. When school started I had a schedule that allowed for her to only go 4 hours a week and with each semester I gradually increased it. I know that when I start nursing school she will be there twice as much as she is now, but I am confident that she will be fine. I think it is better to slowly introduce them. That way you aren't going from no daycare to full time daycare.

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Specializes in School Nursing.

Is it possible for you to work different shifts so you don't need to use daycare? When mine were little I worked casual pool at the hospital and didn't go in before 6PM. Maybe a friend or family member would be available in the evening or even an older teenager who could use a few $ and still keep your kids at home. I understand that daycare is necessary for so many, but I would look into other options first.

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