https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 04 Apr 2026 00:36:34 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/clingy-20-month-old-heading-to-daycare-how-long-to-transition#post-2681073 Mon, 16 Jan 2017 20:08:39 +0000 MrsSRS 2681073@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>As a teacher for this age, let me say, pleeeeaaaase don't stay in the classroom. Make your drop off quick and consistent with cheerful words. 99% of kids are fully adjusted after 6 weeks. I'd do half days for a couple days then just move into your new routine full steam. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/clingy-20-month-old-heading-to-daycare-how-long-to-transition#post-2680423 Sun, 15 Jan 2017 17:01:38 +0000 lioneyes 2680423@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DS started playschool at 23 months, right when he was in the midst of an insane clingy phase. He only goes 2x a week, so it did take a few weeks for him to get acclimated (would cry at dropoff, I would feel terrible, but it would only be like 5 mins total), and now he is totally fine with my leaving. I think the more he goes, the better it gets. When he is off for holidays or school is closed and he only goes 1x a week, that's when it gets difficult again. Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/clingy-20-month-old-heading-to-daycare-how-long-to-transition#post-2680415 Sun, 15 Jan 2017 16:36:40 +0000 ChiCalGoBee 2680415@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My son started half-day montessori 5 days a week at 22 months. He was home with me and a nanny up until then. He has a huge mommy preference, and still will occasionally cry when I leave the room-even if I'm leaving him with his dad! All this is to say school has been incredible for him. Yes, I will admit we still have some teary drop-offs, but his teacher reports that he's typically fine by the time I'm back to my car. He eats at school, plays with his friends, participates in activities, and is really thriving. I used to teach kindergarten and was often on the receiving end of a clingy kiddo not wanting to leave mom or dad, and (save for extreme cases) the drop-off is the hardest part. Little ones at this age are typically out of sight/out of mind, so I think she'll be okay once she gets into a groove. Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/clingy-20-month-old-heading-to-daycare-how-long-to-transition#post-2680413 Sun, 15 Jan 2017 16:07:53 +0000 winniebee 2680413@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@fuzzypeaches: our providers told us he was on the severe end in terms of transitioning. I think most kids who have never been to school fully transition after a month. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/clingy-20-month-old-heading-to-daycare-how-long-to-transition#post-2680412 Sun, 15 Jan 2017 16:05:43 +0000 fuzzypeaches 2680412@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ahh this is freaking me out :( sounds like I just have to rip off the bandaid I guess!<br /> @winniebee: this is what I fear my experience will be lol :( I need to just accept this is the situation myself I think and move on!<br /> @BabyTsMom: @MamaG: thanks ladies! I'm so nervous about this! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/clingy-20-month-old-heading-to-daycare-how-long-to-transition#post-2680275 Sun, 15 Jan 2017 08:54:10 +0000 MamaG 2680275@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Great advice here. My girl started daycare at 8 weeks but had a really hard transition from one class to the next at 18 months. She cried at dropoff for about 6 weeks. She was mostly okay after drop unless she saw her prior teacher. The teacher tried hard to be out of sight but they have to cover each other. She's over two now and will still get upset at drop if the routine is different. Keep goodbyes brief and let the teachers help. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/clingy-20-month-old-heading-to-daycare-how-long-to-transition#post-2680238 Sun, 15 Jan 2017 00:59:38 +0000 BabyTsMom 2680238@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So I didn't go through this exact thing but I started my LO in morning preschool (3.5 hrs a day), four days a week when he was 26/27 months old. He is very much a Velcro kid. The transition wasn't as bad as I thought it'd be, but he has phases even now where he'll be fine for a week, then cry at drop off. The teachers tell me he stops very quickly, and I make it a point not to linger and then I just give him a quick kiss and go. It makes me feel better that he's always happy when I pick him up- I can usually see him before he sees me, and he's always in good spirits.<br /> I knew it was going to be a hard transition, so I asked if we could visit together a few times before his actual start date. He got to know his two main teachers and the kids in his class. I think that helped out a lot. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/clingy-20-month-old-heading-to-daycare-how-long-to-transition#post-2680175 Sat, 14 Jan 2017 21:03:07 +0000 winniebee 2680175@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>R was also home with me and then with our nanny until 21 months. We started him 3 days a week 830-330 (Montessori program) and still with the nanny one day and she also did their after care. I hate to say but we had a really tough transition. He cried a lot, had a tough time with the transition from activity to the next, barely ate at school, and barely played. I think it would have resolved sooner but he got quite sick after the first week and missed several days of school. It took a month for him to get more into the program, but continued to cry a lot at drop offs and during activity transitions. It honestly broke my heart a little and I almost totally pulled him, but his teachers encouraged us to keep at it and my husband really wanted to forge ahead. Just at the two month mark, due to unforeseen circumstances, we separated from our nanny. I added a fourth day to his schedule (he is home with me one day) and added late care from 330-530 for both he and his brother. I then saw a dramatic change in his demeanor surrounding school. He started skipping off to school in the morning, loves his buddies, never cries there, and is happy as can be. I'm not sure if 2 months was the magic number for us, or adding a day, or simply just having total continuity of care....but it's great and I'm so happy we persisted. A key was being really open with his teachers -- and following up with them a loT. Our story is definitely not typical, but I wanted to share it so that you know that even if you have a rough start, it can turn out to be great!</p> <p>My suggestions would be to send him half days the first few days but then have him go full days. Make his drop offs very matter of fact and not drawn out - it's time for school now, I love you and I'll be back to get you at 5. Bye!! No tears or clinging to him etc. Ask the teachers to help him separate from you. Also talk to him about it a lot in advance. He is young but will understand more than you think. Read a few books about it! I like I love you all day long a lot! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/clingy-20-month-old-heading-to-daycare-how-long-to-transition#post-2680170 Sat, 14 Jan 2017 20:31:26 +0000 fuzzypeaches 2680170@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hi ladies!<br /> LO2 has been a Velcro baby from the start! She has been at home with a nanny whom she has been very bonded to, but nanny is leaving in 8 weeks and I have no choice but to do daycare 😭 LO1 was so easy that I never really had to worry!</p> <p>How long did your clingy 18-24 month old take to transition??? Just don't know how many days of work to take off for this! Of course DH is going on a work trip last minute the same week! FML. </p> <p>Will this be really awful?!? </p>