https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 06 Apr 2026 15:07:31 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-make-drop-offs-easier#post-2281459 Thu, 03 Sep 2015 10:34:03 +0000 Freckles 2281459@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@shellio: the Montessori director gave some tips to parents who were sending their kids to school for the first time. She suggested being consistent with the pickup times. Draw a picture of the time you will be picking him up and that will be the time you will be there. Another thing that worked was when I told DD about something special we will do after I pick her up, whether it's a tv show she will get to watch, or a special dinner we are going to have. I also think it's good to keep the goodbyes brief.</p> <p>I think he just needs time to adjust and will get there eventually! I know it is hard on the parent when they cry! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-make-drop-offs-easier#post-2281409 Thu, 03 Sep 2015 10:07:32 +0000 BananaPancakes 2281409@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@shellio: Yup. DS cried for over an hour BEFORE heading to school. He scream-cried at drop off again. He didn't cry once last year. I think having a new teacher and new kids in his class has been really hard for him. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-make-drop-offs-easier#post-2281328 Thu, 03 Sep 2015 09:16:06 +0000 shellio 2281328@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just reviving this thread since its fall, new preschools, and I can't be the only mama going through this right now :( My oldest DS just started a new preschool, he has gone to preschool for the past two years 2 days a week but now at age 3 he is in full time preschool. We started last week (3 days last week for transition, full time 5 days this week) and I didn't think it would be a problem at all but he has been crying every day. He clings to my leg every morning when I drop off. He has never done anything like that before! He starts getting whiny and fussy first thing in the morning on school days. We have tried to do everything mentioned here - talk about it and validate his feelings, quick hug and out the door, focus on the games that kids are playing when he arrives, and its still hard. I hope it will get better and he always has good days and even tells us he had a fun day and he's glad he went when we pick him up. Just looking for commiseration. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-make-drop-offs-easier#post-2121610 Wed, 25 Mar 2015 16:38:53 +0000 Kimberlybee 2121610@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ree723: @bunnylove08: I am so torn apart on what to do! My goal was to be a SAHM for her as long as possible. We looked at our finances and I would be able to stay at home for 2 years. She turns 2 in May so we have been touring daycares and I feel so bad that I am about to change our comfortable and happy routine drastically. I use to be a workaholic and I am so surprised at how much I enjoyed being a stay at home mom. I hope we find a good place soon. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-make-drop-offs-easier#post-2121591 Wed, 25 Mar 2015 16:13:43 +0000 Ree723 2121591@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Filing this away for later..... No advice OP as I'm not there yet but I have a feeling we will be in the same situation when DD1 starts preschool three mornings per week in the fall. She's such a momma's girl and has never been away from me, so I don't know who it is going to be rougher for, her or me! Sigh....I don't want my baby to start preschool at only three years old, I want her to have another year home with me, but alas, kids start school here at three. :-( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-make-drop-offs-easier#post-2121559 Wed, 25 Mar 2015 15:46:59 +0000 brownie 2121559@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My son has a hard time with transitions even at 4 years old. I am lucky that I have time in the mornings to help transition him and I don't have to drop and go (doesn't work for him). Finding a transition point has been key for him. So at his first one it was breakfast as soon as he was engaged in eating I could say goodbye and leave with now problems. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-make-drop-offs-easier#post-2121502 Wed, 25 Mar 2015 15:00:46 +0000 catomd00 2121502@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think not making a big deal is key. Hug and kiss, say goodbye I love you I'll see you soon have fun and go! I do linger out of sight when DD cries just for my own benefit<br /> To see for myself that the tears stop within 60 seconds.</p> <p>Oh and even though my daughter is only 12 months, I talk to her and acknowledge her feelings. So, if she's in a clingy cry at drop off phase in the car I tell her where we are goin and its okay to be sad and miss me because I miss her during the day but ill be back at the end of the day and we will play! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-make-drop-offs-easier#post-2121485 Wed, 25 Mar 2015 14:53:20 +0000 sandy 2121485@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I completely agree with what @JoyfulKiwi said. I think this approach works well for everything - always talk to your kids about what is going on and what will be happening. It feels silly when they are under 2 and not really talking back but they are totally understanding and processing. </p> <p>when my LO first started her 2s class last fall she would get very teary but we would talk about it in the car on the way to school and talk about what she would do there. And talk about how mama always comes back and that we'll have lunch together. We also read the Llama Llama Misses Mama book a lot and I think that helped a lot - she would always say "mama, you came back!" Just like in the book </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-make-drop-offs-easier#post-2121453 Wed, 25 Mar 2015 14:31:20 +0000 JoyfulKiwi 2121453@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I teach preschool and my advice is talk, talk, talk about it so she can start processing her emotions and develop coping skills. Talk confidently and positively about the routine before hand ("Today is a school day! What would you like to do at school today? Remember, I will do XYZ Routine and then I will leave, but I'll be back at X time.") Then follow your routine, which she can help create, but make sure it is short &amp; happy. Some families do a special good-bye rhyme, count the number of hugs, set a timer on their phone, or do a quick activity together like hanging up jackets or choosing an activity. Let the teacher know if you need her to be part of the routine (I have kids who need me to gently take them from their parents and hold them for a few minutes, I have others who always do a special task with me, I have one that I take to look at our posted schedule to see the picture of when his mom will return). Also, I know it's really hard - it's hard for me when my son does it - but it helps to be positive and calm about your good-bye even when she cries.</p> <p>Acknowledge her feelings, too, and let her know it's okay to be sad and miss you during the day but that she is in a safe place and can handle her emotions. With time, she can start to work out how to miss you, but still find something good to do at drop off. Unless she is crying literally all day long for weeks on end, she likely really is okay. :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-make-drop-offs-easier#post-2121409 Wed, 25 Mar 2015 14:07:22 +0000 Mamasig 2121409@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DS1 cried every day when I dropped him off for about 3 months. He would stop once I was gone, but it still sucked. Only time changed it. I didn't hang around long. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-make-drop-offs-easier#post-2121404 Wed, 25 Mar 2015 14:05:01 +0000 bunnylove08 2121404@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: I really like this idea of giving a sticker to the teacher. </p> <p>I called the daycare and they said she cried multiple times and usually she only cries twice, when I leave and when the kids are getting picked up. Totally breaks my heart and makes me worried that a quick drop off will be worse. </p> <p>I told DH I'm going to try it next week and hopefully it will work. crossing my fingers. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-make-drop-offs-easier#post-2121178 Wed, 25 Mar 2015 11:08:42 +0000 littlejoy 2121178@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our LO cries every morning, but the teacher usually sends me a photo within 3 minutes of her happily playing with her friends. </p> <p>Advice from them: bring LO in with confidence. Talk with her before you drop her off, "You are going to have such a great day!" ... Walk in with a happy spirit, put her down, tell her you love her, and say you'll be back to get her later. </p> <p>You've gotta be consistent and strong. She'll detect any hesitation on your end. The teachers will comfort her!! :) </p> <p>It's so, so hard. I feel for you. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-make-drop-offs-easier#post-2121143 Wed, 25 Mar 2015 10:40:15 +0000 looch 2121143@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yeah, I agree you have to drop off and go.</p> <p>eta: I almost forgot...one thing that was suggested to me by a more experienced mom that had this same issue was to give my son a task to complete when he got to the facility, like give the director a sticker. It made him focus on the task, not the fact that he was being left there. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-make-drop-offs-easier#post-2121141 Wed, 25 Mar 2015 10:38:39 +0000 hotchildinthecity 2121141@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yep I say just rip the band aid off and leave. LO has been in daycare for like three weeks and he cries when I leave but they said it takes him less and less time to calm down now. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-make-drop-offs-easier#post-2121133 Wed, 25 Mar 2015 10:32:02 +0000 BelugaBean 2121133@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>LO had a rough time when she started in September twice a week for a few weeks. She was always fine once I left though so her teachers would just take her. In January they changed to drop off at the door to encourage independence and it was like starting over. She still has a rough time but she has a favorite teacher and friends so after a few minutes of hugs, she's usually ready to go in. I think it just takes time but I do agree, definitely don't linger. When it's time for me to go, I tell her I love her and say I'll be back later then I leave. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-make-drop-offs-easier#post-2121130 Wed, 25 Mar 2015 10:31:00 +0000 Mamaof2 2121130@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For DS , well nothing worked and he cried on and off for 5 years - no joke!</p> <p>For DD - the first 3 weeks she cried and then nothing since then.</p> <p>It may just take time.</p> <p>You could also buy her a special lovey and leave it with her each day at drop-off and tell her if she gets sad to hug it and know you are thinking of her.</p> <p>You could also go take out a toy/puzzle/game and start it with her and then kiss good bye and she can finish the puzzle </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-make-drop-offs-easier#post-2121129 Wed, 25 Mar 2015 10:30:33 +0000 yoursilverlining 2121129@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We are transitioning to the preschool room, and we have some tear-filled mornings, even though my LO goes FT and has gone to the same school since she was 13 weeks old! So, hugs. It sucks.</p> <p>What has helped my LO – for both the preschool transition, and the transition from the infant room to toddler room, has been to have her develop a relationship with 1 teacher who is primarily there at drop-off, and to give her a specific “thing” to do. For my LO, she *loves* watering the plants in the class room. So every morning, she is greeted by the same teacher (as often as possible), who asks LO if she can help the teacher water all the plants. That is generally enough of a distraction for me to leave without tears.</p> <p>I agree with your sister too about a quick getaway. I’ve never had prolonging my leaving, or trying to talk to LO, be especially useful. She will always want “1 more” hug, “a few more minutes” etc. </p> <p>Also, (this was HUGE for our transition to the toddler room), does your LO like Daniel Tiger? If so, there is an episode about how grownups always come back. I would repeat that to LO during drop-off, and remind her that I always come back and pick-up, and we watched the episode several times a week. That really helped! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-make-drop-offs-easier#post-2121125 Wed, 25 Mar 2015 10:28:35 +0000 autumnlove 2121125@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>LO 1 cried every morning at drop off for over a year but the teachers told DH she was fine after he left the room. It sucked for him but he just kept the same routine (said bye, love you and see you later) and did not linger. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-make-drop-offs-easier#post-2121118 Wed, 25 Mar 2015 10:20:59 +0000 bunnylove08 2121118@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DD started daycare this month and drop offs are ways tear filled. My kid is very self aware and we cannot lie to her. she usually asks for me to stay with her for a little bit and when I leave she starts to cry. My sister said to say goodbye at the door and go. I don't know what to do. Any advice would help. </p> <p>She only goes 2 days a week but will be transiting to full time for a month whe our nanny is recovering from surgery. </p> <p>She does well in school, plays and helps. </p>