WOH and Monday Mornings Transition

[1stTimeMama4-4-10]

I WOH and spend every minute from Friday afternoon until Monday morning in view of, and usually much closer to, DD. DH is a SAHD and it seems that every Monday morning, DD just screams her head off for him for one-two hours after I leave for work,  I come home for lunch most days, and we can cuddle and nurse then - she seems fine by then. It breaks my heart that she cries (presumably for me) and that DH cannot console her, and also that DH has to listen to a screaming baby he cannot comfort.  It happens other times, but Monday mornings are consistently her worst day/time for DH. I think she is crying for me, since other times that she is inconsolable for DH, she will settle immediately as soon as I hold her and nurse her. It makes sense to me that Monday mornings are the first time in 2 1/2 days that I cannot be there and she doesn't understand.  Anyone BTDT? Any ideas for ways to make the transition easier on both of them and make me feel a bit better about not being there for DD?

[1stTimeMama4-4-10]

No one?

[LittleBirdy]

I have not BTDT (my son is Mr. Social, and for now is happy as a clam with anyone who pays him attention - I left him at daycare with a huge grin on his face as he was being fawned over by 3 little girls ), but a couple of thoughts:

First off, to make YOU feel better... remember you are leaving your DD with the only other person on this planet who loves her just as much as you do, her father.  She's not alone, she's not with a stranger - she may prefer to be with you and thus protest at the transition but she is safe and loved there.

The only thing I can think of to help your DD is maybe to have your DH give her a shirt that smells like you, and that might be a comfort to her?

And lastly, isn't this age prime time for seperation anxiety?  So this too shall pass?  Hang in there mama.

[whozeyermamma]

I agree that this is prime time for separation anxiety ... maybe DH can try to mix it up a little - take her for a walk right when you go, something new to distract her?

It is so hard to know that she's upset - but she is with your DH who loves her and will care for her. Maybe you can create a Monday ritual - get her a lovey? Write her a little story about how on Monday mommy goes to work? She's tiny now and she wont' understand it all, but it will start to sink in.

Some kids just have a really really hard time with transitions. Good luck!