ASK THE DIRECTOR: UPSET TODDLER – WORRIED MOM

Dear Director,

I am worried about how upset my 2-year-old daughter is during morning drop-off at her childcare center.  Lately she cries and screams and my heart aches when I leave her.   This used to happen once in a while but it has become an almost daily occurrence. Her teachers tell me not to worry, but mornings are a real trial. Is it the teacher or the school? What can I do? 

Anxious Mom
Boston, MA

Dear Anxious,

I feel your pain! Difficult transitions are painful for you, upsetting for your child and hard on the teacher. Here are some tips to that may rescue your mornings and give your daughter a good start to the day.

•  Make sure you child gets a good night’s sleep. A consistent bedtime makes all the difference in a great morning start (for both of you).
• Talk to your child about what they should expect when they get up in the morning: “We are going to have breakfast, drive to school and have lots of fun with Ms. Susan and your friends”.
• I know you are in a hurry to get to work most mornings, but it very important that you let the child walk into school and into their classroom. Carrying them encourages them to cling.Nurture your toddler’s independence being a “biggirl” is a heady sensation for a two year old.
• I am sure you have realized that toddlers are infamous for trying to provoke a reaction from their parents. Try to be consistently even tempered in response to your toddler’s tantrums. I knowthis is easier said than done, but the payoff is that your toddler learns that tantrums are not rewarded by a similar response from parents.
• Lastly, Monday’s are stressful for everyone! Toddlers especially have a difficult time making that transition from weekends at home with parents and the return to school.  So take a deep breathe and use a little extra patience on Monday mornings.
• Many factors can contribute to a toddler’s adverse reaction to morning drop-off at childcare. It is critical that your toddler’s childcare center play it’s part in encouraging a smooth morning transition. At our facilities (Tartt’s Day Care Center’s in Boston) we believelighthearted music, a warm and cheerful greeting by a familiar face every morning is one of the keys to a calm morning transition.

Send your childcare questions to  WANDA@TARTTS.COM

“Ask The Director “ is written by Wanda Geer in collaboration with Anita Handy and Nida Wright.  Director’s at Tartt’s Day Care Centers Inc. their combined childcare experience totals 40 years.