First day of day care was a bust...(long) DAY 2 UPDATE AT THE END OF PAGE 1

So this morning, DH and I dropped on DS for the first time, expecting to have to stay with DS for awhile. But DS started playing happily and never looked back. We were thrilled (well...I was crying about having to leave him, but happy he was ok). We called a couple of hours later and the teacher said he ate a good breakfast and was doing great - better than some of the kids that had already been there. I was so relieved...until we went to pick him up a few hours later (we didn't want him to stay a full 10 hours his first day).

We barely got to his room when we heard the screams from the hallway. We peeked in and he was sitting there crying hysterically, tears streaming down his face. The teacher could not console him and he was practically hyperventilating. The teacher said he had not napped at all (so he had been awake over 7 hours) and threw up his lunch. I don't know if he was nervous, or scared, or overtired, or missed us or what but it was heartbreaking. It took awhile for DH and I to calm him down and ever since then, he has been clinging to me and won't let go.

I am a wreck, and so nervous about the drop-off tomorrow. I don't want to give my son some kind of an emotional problem by leaving him. Is this going to get any better? Did anyone else experience this? I know it's only the first day but I didn't expect this harsh of a reaction.

Message edited 9/5/2007 4:42:41 PM.

Re: First day of day care was a bust...(long)

It does get better.

Re: First day of day care was a bust...(long)

I didn't have the same experience but to you.

He may need time to adjust plus I'm sure he was overtired.

Re: First day of day care was a bust...(long)

Maybe he was over-stimulated???

I'm sorry you had to go through that.

Re: First day of day care was a bust...(long)

Awww, definitely sounds like he was overtired and got all worked up bc of that. He will adjust, they all do!

Ryan is big on not sleeping at school and can be an overtired crankpot by the time we pick him up. He's recently gotten better w/this as he's able to stay up longer periods now but it used to be VERY hard to leave him - hard for me, that is. He has a blast while there and has really taken to it well. Good luck!

Re: First day of day care was a bust...(long)

Re: First day of day care was a bust...(long)

It willl get better! Within a few weeks, he will love it!!!

Re: First day of day care was a bust...(long)

DD was the same way in the beginning (re: the refusing to nap.) She was just over-stimulated and a miserable mess. I want to say it took a week or maybe 2 until she adjusted.

She still doesn't nap well there, but she's doing better. She really seems to like it there.

I hope it only gets better

Re: First day of day care was a bust...(long)

hope the next time goes better

Re: First day of day care was a bust...(long)

It will take a few days, maybe even a few weeks for him to get adjusted. I am sure he was just extremely tired and getting used to his new surroundings and new people. It will get better!

Re: First day of day care was a bust...(long)

Re: First day of day care was a bust...(long)

Re: First day of day care was a bust...(long)

My heart broke visualizing him on the floor hysterical crying!! I am sure all the other posters are right....overstimulated and overtired. I hope it gets better

Re: First day of day care was a bust...(long)

Re: First day of day care was a bust...(long)

DS is not in day care, but, I can speak as a previous day care teacher (over 10 years)..It DOES get better! I've BTDT on the teacher side of it.
It may take a few days, but, It will get better.

Re: First day of day care was a bust...(long)

Thanks for all your replies. DS has been clingy and crying since we got home and won't eat and has scratches all over him. This is just so hard. I'm ready to sell the house and move away so that I can stay home with him! I will try to stick it out until the end of the week and hope it gets better...

Re: First day of day care was a bust...(long)

Re: First day of day care was a bust...(long)

Re: First day of day care was a bust...(long)

It's definitely an adjustment - think about it, his whole routine, structure and surroundings have changed.

The good thing? Babies are ENORMOUSLY adaptable. He'll kick into a routine sooner than you think, and it will probably help him kick into a routine at home too

P.S. Try not to feel bad - in the long run, he's going to LOVE daycare, playing with all those toys, having fun with his friends. My daughter now screams and claps everytime we get close to daycare, and starts yelling her little friends' names

Message edited 9/4/2007 9:23:55 PM.

Re: First day of day care was a bust...(long)

Re: First day of day care was a bust...(long)

It will get better each day for you and your child

Re: First day of day care was a bust...(long)

Re: First day of day care was a bust...(long)

I hope today is a better day

Re: First day of day care was a bust...(long) DAY 2 UPDATE AT THE END

So today we went back to day care and my son cried when we left. I called a few hours later and she said he cried all morning and would not nap. Then when I picked him up, she said that he cried all afternoon and didn't want to play with any toys all day. My heart is now in a million pieces. When he saw me come in to pick him up he got so anxious and upset and just clung to me. Now we are home and he seems okay but very tired. I know we have to stick with it for a week or two until he gets used to it but this is really the hardest thing I've ever done - I'd rather go through labor 10 more times than feel this way and know my once happy child is hurting so much.

Re: First day of day care was a bust...(long) DAY 2 UPDATE AT THE END

I am so sorry. I hope he adjusts soon