Many parents feel overwhelmed by guilty when they have to leave their crying toddlers at the daycare centre. But they should listen to their head rather than the heart, because it is necessary for every working parent to leave their kids at the daycare center if there is no other alternative. The parents have to think of their work, livelihood and other practical necessities.
Hence, instead of feeling guilty parents should consider many aspects while choosing a daycare centre for their kids. They should consider their feelings, the daycare atmosphere, the caretaker, and the character of the kids themselves before taking a decision.
Apart from taking into account all your practical realities such as work and income, checkout the daycare centre into which you have admitted your kid. Find out whether your kid is comfortable in the daycare centre. This can be checked out by unannounced visits, talking to the caretaker about her attitude and qualifications, and also by talking to parents of other kids. You needn’t let you child see you when you make the unannounced visits but you can make sure how comfortable you kid is in your absence at the daycare centre.
Above all, subject your child’s character under an honest scrutiny. Some children are manipulative and may be taking you for a ride by feigning uneasiness. Some kids are used to getting their way, while some are of the emotional type. Checkout and evaluate their character and behavior at the centre both in your presence and absence before you withdraw the kid from the place. Some kids cry at the end of the day may be because they are unsure of your arrival, or due to some other reasons. Talk the matter with your partner, and may be both of you can take the kid to the centre alternately. Also, try to change your routine if necessary.
Kids, like adults, need time to adjust to a new place. Kids who go regularly to a daycare centre need at least one month to adjust while part time kids take about one to three months to do the same. Hence, parents need to take all matters into consideration before deciding to withdraw the kids from a day care centre. Take time and don’t be in a hurry. Otherwise, the kids might develop an impression that it is alright to give up something too soon with out even a try. They need your example and help to develop social skills and the ability to get along in life.
Posted on June 1st, 2008 by admin
Filed under: Baby, Behavior, Child Care, Toddler
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