Ok, so yes, my 'baby' is almost 4 years old, but still...

She's starting daycare one week from today. She gets a practice run for half a day on Friday and then she starts. I always said I woudn't put her in daycare or preschool since I don't have to work and she has her whole life to go to school. However, she is so desperate for kids to play with, and as much as I'd like to devote every single second to her, I just can't keep her company all day every day. So we found a place real close to home, she seemed to really like it, and it's 3-4-and-5-year-olds. She'll be in from 9 til 4 or 5 depending on who is picking her up that day, 2 days a week. This frees me up to work another day each week.

I'm nervous. I know she'll be ok, but I'm still nervous. She has food allergies, and I worry someone will give her something she can't have. I'm worried that it's too long of a day for her. I hate that I'll be spending less time with her.

So make me feel better! I know she'll be okay, and this is the best thing for her, but still...




.

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Missy
Proud Momma to Olivia, 6/04

I know how you are feeling Missy. The guilt will always be there, even though you and I are aware that our 3-4 year olds thrive in the company of other children. My Mason really loves his "teacher"/carer and has some special little friends at the day care he attends 5 days per week. Often I think his day there is far too long, but my DP tries to pick him up btwn 3-4pm if possible. Many times he complains that he is being picked up too early as all his friends stay later and he is missing out on play time with them! I find that when he is well and had a good sleep, daycare is the best place for him, it's the days he is feeling tired or has a bit of a cold that he gets tearful when I drop him off, and I feel awful - that's when the GUILT really set in. (Obviously when he is sick he and I stay home).

I think 2 days a week is perfect. Better than only 1. A good friend had her 4yo daughter attending a daycare 1 day per week and her little girl found it hard to adjust to being home 6 days with mum, and then having to get up early and be away from mum all day only once per week. Hopefully Olivia will quickly settle down into a routine, and show you how much fun she is having at her daycare. I hope the centre makes you feel safe and secure regarding her food allergies. Please talk to them again and make sure you feel okay about it, that they take it seriously. Is food brought into the centre, or is it prepared onsite? No food is brought into Mason's daycare, and there is one cook and she has 4 weekly menus that she rotates, taking into account all allergies. Sounds the safest way to me.

Missy please don't give yourself a hard time. You are a great momma to Olivia and have only her best interests at heart. I think the time apart will be good for both of you - not so much because you are not together, but because you both are doing things for yourself. It will foster a little bit of independence in Olivia too, and that is a good thing. If you are like me, it makes you enjoy and savior your time together even more.

Good luck with the practise run, let us know how it goes.

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brendan goes to preschool 3 days a week it was hard at the beginning for me to 'adjust to him being gone in the beginning i was in tears for about 6 wks but got used to it & I enjoy the peace now he only has 5 more wks left of school and I'm going hopefully 'weather is good next month so 'we can spend many days at the park and the big play area if it gets too 'cold/windy/rainy til september then I proably be crying all over again when I get him may ,june,july, august part of september when he will go 4 days a week. for two summers i will get him for 4 n half months then it will be only two summer months when he starts gradeschool

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Traci
Mommy to Brendan August 4, 2004 with two angels alizah 6/02 and trey 2/03 watching over him.









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Kirsten goes to a preschool/daycare 2 full days and one 1/2 day each week. She learns alot and loved her friends! They really helped with the potty training and I feel so much better knowing she is going somewhere safe and nuturing while I work! She would be lost without it and I'm almost thinking of adding in anouther day. I love having her home when I'm home but I worry that she askes to go to school to see her friends, let's face it, I'm not as much fun to play with as they are.

The first few times will be harder for you than for her so prepare yourself. I cried in the car every day for a week! It's alos hard on those days when she thinks I should stay and play too but her teacher is great at redirecting her attention.

Good luck and congratulations on seeing what your daughter needs!

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Thanks guys!!

Jenn-the director did make me feel pretty good about the food allergy thing. They supply 2 snacks per day, but I'll bring some for Liv and they'll only give her that (or fruit if that's the snack for the day). Lunches are sent in with the kids and they are not allowed to share. There is another child there with the same allergies, so that made me feel like they were prepared to deal with it.

I feel pretty good about it. They have web cams set up in the classrooms, so I can log on at work and check what she's doing any time I want. That was a big selling point to me, proving they have nothing to hide. She's been asking every day, when do I go to school? It'll be good. As long as I can get through the whole drop-off. Hope my boss doesn't mind the running mascara the first day or two

As always, thanks for your support. I'll let you know how things go on Friday. Til then...

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Missy
Proud Momma to Olivia, 6/04

Thanks guys!!

Jenn-the director did make me feel pretty good about the food allergy thing. They supply 2 snacks per day, but I'll bring some for Liv and they'll only give her that (or fruit if that's the snack for the day). Lunches are sent in with the kids and they are not allowed to share. There is another child there with the same allergies, so that made me feel like they were prepared to deal with it.

I feel pretty good about it. They have web cams set up in the classrooms, so I can log on at work and check what she's doing any time I want. That was a big selling point to me, proving they have nothing to hide. She's been asking every day, when do I go to school? It'll be good. As long as I can get through the whole drop-off. Hope my boss doesn't mind the running mascara the first day or two

I don't think people really understand what a difficult decision this is until you have to go through it yourself. I certainly didn't!

As always, thanks for your support. I'll let you know how things go on Friday. Til then...

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Missy
Proud Momma to Olivia, 6/04

Ugh. my first post didn't post, so I added a bit and reposted to find it had indeed posted. Sorry!

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Missy
Proud Momma to Olivia, 6/04

I hate it when that happens Missy!

I wish Mason's centre had webcam....but then again, maybe not as I'd spend all day checking up on him! If he was looking upset or tired I think it would be very hard on me.... I do think they are a great idea though, and as you said, shows they've got nothing to hide.

Good luck.

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