Tips for helping kids adjust to Mother's Day Out program?

[flatstanley72]

In a few weeks, my 16-month-old DS and 4-year-old DD will start attending a Mother's Day Out program while I work for a few hours a week. It is from 9 am-1:30 pm. DS will attend M, F and DD will attend M, W, F. Neither of them have much experience with childcare and they both have a hard time with separation, especially DS b/c of his age. Any BTDT mamas have tips for easing the transition, especially for DS? Thanks!

[AmaraMonillas]

I have been a childcare provider for 10+ years and there is only one thing that always helps... Leave Quickly. If you have a lot of instructions, write them down. You can suggest an activity that will help distract them when you leave, but don't stay around to get them engaged unless you know this will actually prevent tears. One hug, kiss and goodbye is plenty, more than that only escalates frustration. I know it can be heartbreaking to leave when your child is crying and running after you, but the sooner you leave, the sooner the care giver can calm them down.
I hope they adjust quickly and you don't have to worry about this for long

[flatstanley72]

Originally Posted by AmaraMonillas

I have been a childcare provider for 10+ years and there is only one thing that always helps... Leave Quickly. If you have a lot of instructions, write them down. You can suggest an activity that will help distract them when you leave, but don't stay around to get them engaged unless you know this will actually prevent tears. One hug, kiss and goodbye is plenty, more than that only escalates frustration. I know it can be heartbreaking to leave when your child is crying and running after you, but the sooner you leave, the sooner the care giver can calm them down.
I hope they adjust quickly and you don't have to worry about this for long

Thank you for the response. That is what I'm planning to do, but I know it is going to be hard for me. Do you have any idea how long I might expect it to take my 16-month-old to adjust?

[AmaraMonillas]

I wish I could say, but it totally depends on the kid. Just know that when they tell you he has lots of fun after the 5mins or so it takes to calm down... it's true ! Kids can love a place, and their caregivers, but still prefer mom and express it dramatically