https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 05 May 2026 14:00:44 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-im-being-ridiculous-preschool-worries#post-2584978 Tue, 12 Jul 2016 16:28:13 +0000 looch 2584978@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@BabyTsMom: it went in waves, it would be fine, then his favorite teacher would be out and it would start all over again. Then about a year in , they closed the facility rather abruptly and we had a revolving door of subs. I finally just pulled him out about a month and a half before our official last day. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-im-being-ridiculous-preschool-worries#post-2584946 Tue, 12 Jul 2016 15:55:33 +0000 BabyTsMom 2584946@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: thanks! so I take it that it never did get better for him? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-im-being-ridiculous-preschool-worries#post-2584818 Tue, 12 Jul 2016 13:35:21 +0000 looch 2584818@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@BabyTsMom: Well, I didn't have a need for full time care from birth to 2 years old ( I was staying at home) and I wasn't planning on returning to work.</p> <p>In hindsight, what I should have done was to look for a playgroup or some kind of mommy and me class to build familiarity and kind of get him used to going out and having fun. I started one when he was about 16 months, and it was already too "late" for his personality type.</p> <p>Given what the situation was, if I had my way, I wouldn't have started him in daycare at all, and would have done part time preschool at the age of 3. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-im-being-ridiculous-preschool-worries#post-2584333 Mon, 11 Jul 2016 16:08:00 +0000 BabyTsMom 2584333@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: sorta threadjacking, but if you had to do it again, would you have waited till he was older, or started him as an infant?<br /> I've posted before about starting my LO at 2 (he just turned 2), and keep going back and forth on what to do. I think we're gonna enroll him for the fall though, when he's 2yrs, 3 months. But that's great advice on not waiting for drop offs to get better. I fear mine might not ever get better! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-im-being-ridiculous-preschool-worries#post-2584266 Mon, 11 Jul 2016 14:39:50 +0000 JenGirl 2584266@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You aren't being ridiculous, but I wouldn't let your anxiety about him being "away" from home stop you from sending him. </p> <p>I think preschool can have huge benefits for kids and while nothing is ever risk free, I think risks of abuse are extremely low. It's like driving in a car. We all know it's dangerous. We do what we can (use carseats) but don't let the risk of an accident stop us from getting where we need to go. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-im-being-ridiculous-preschool-worries#post-2584188 Mon, 11 Jul 2016 13:26:44 +0000 pachamama 2584188@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ZombieBullfrogHoller: you are not being ridiculous. Its so hard not to let worries and the ugly side of our world consume us. I don't want to give unsolicited advice but someone once told me you don't want to eastern these precious early months worrying all the time. That helped me change my negative thoughts. And the fact that while there are some terrible things out there, it's really not likely a catastrophe will befall our little ones. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-im-being-ridiculous-preschool-worries#post-2584163 Mon, 11 Jul 2016 12:50:14 +0000 psw27 2584163@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You are being normal and have normal worries, but they could be amplified because of your line of work. I'm sure your LO will adjust well. He's going to go to school eventually, so I think getting him in there a few days a week will be good for all of you! </p> <p>That said, my LO just transitioned to a new daycare last week and it has been roughhhh on all of us. I keep hoping it gets better soon! I feel so bad leaving him when he is crying but they always email me pictures of him within 5 minutes saying he's fine and smiling and playing. Still... not easy for the parents! That said, he loves daycare (he's been in since 4 months) and he learns so much from being around other kids and seeing new places and toys! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-im-being-ridiculous-preschool-worries#post-2584141 Mon, 11 Jul 2016 12:23:27 +0000 youboots 2584141@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I took a different approach to anxiety/worry. Even though my daughter did not *need* to be in daycare I enrolled her 2 mornings a week for 4 hours at 6 months. I could have managed without it, but it was so nice to know she was in a safe caring place while I WAH part time in peace. It opened up my evenings so we could be together as a family. She is so happy and social. Her daycare is closed over summer and I miss it so much. Sure sometimes I was sick with worry (choking, getting knocked over in her high chair namely) but I think it has been really positive for everyone. Even though I SAH now I have kept her in daycare. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-im-being-ridiculous-preschool-worries#post-2584129 Mon, 11 Jul 2016 12:02:27 +0000 rnmcdonnell 2584129@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My daughter went from a nanny to daycare at 18 months and I wondered why it took me that long to switch and think she would have gotten benefit from it earlier than that.</p> <p>She handled the transition easily, made great friends even at that age, and was exposed to so much more - structure, diversity, language, "field trips", social skills like sharing/teamwork, foreign languages, better mealtime variety, her gross motor and speech delays disappeared, etc. My previous opinion had been that she wouldn't get a lot out of daycare before 2-3, but I was wrong. It's not for every kid and family, but we have been lucky to be part of a caring, educated, trained daycare/preschool center, so looking back I wish we had done it a little sooner.</p> <p>You won't know until you get him in there how it will go, but at least for your part...go with your gut and I think you'll know if it's the right place bc you'll worry more about whether he's napping well vs. being abused, like @snowjewelz was saying. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-im-being-ridiculous-preschool-worries#post-2584120 Mon, 11 Jul 2016 11:45:19 +0000 Mrs. Carrot 2584120@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You're definitely not being ridiculous, worrying is absolutely natural. And especially given your line of work, I'd probably be worrying double. But 99.9% of the time, everything is fine and even fantastic. My kiddo is 3 and has been in daycare since she was 4 months old, and I wouldn't have it any other way. He will definitely adjust - it might be bumpy, it might take a few weeks, but he might also take to it instantly. Either way, he'll be OK. As long as you're feeling comfortable with the facility and the providers, that's the most important thing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-im-being-ridiculous-preschool-worries#post-2584076 Mon, 11 Jul 2016 10:59:56 +0000 looch 2584076@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My son began going to daycare when he was 2, it was very part time, but before that he hadn't been alone without me, so I too was concerned about the transition.</p> <p>The thing was, I was waiting for it to get better for him at drop off, and for a long time, it didn't. I spoke to a much more experienced mom than me and she said I had to stop waiting for it to get better, because it might not. And you know, she was right. Once I got past that and accepted that my son would cry at drop off, I was okay and better able to deal.</p> <p>Having written all that, it might be that your kid has zero issues, so you never know until you try.</p> <p>eta: I also want to mention that if I had the chance to do things over again, I wouldn't have put my son into his program at the age of 2. Did he get anything out of it, it's hard to tell. The bigger theme was that I left him, not that he was being socialized (if I look at it from his perspective). Had he begun when he was an infant, it would have been a different story. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-im-being-ridiculous-preschool-worries#post-2584071 Mon, 11 Jul 2016 10:57:18 +0000 Mrsbells 2584071@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ZombieBullfrogHoller: my daughter started daycare as an infant. Yes it is hard to trust other people with your child but at 3 years old he will really benefit from it. Just understand that there is a transition period since your child is old enough to realize he is bring left in unfamiliar surroundings<br /> We moved LO to a new preschool at 3years old and she cried and screamed every drop off for 2 weeks. Now she loves it so much and madr so many friends and is very sad that they are closed for the summer </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-im-being-ridiculous-preschool-worries#post-2584053 Mon, 11 Jul 2016 10:47:09 +0000 snowjewelz 2584053@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think you will feel better after seeing the facilities and talking to directors/teachers! DD started part time daycare at 10 months, and honestly I was more relieved b/c I was more worried about her commuting 30 min each way to my inlaws house 2 mornings a week before that. I felt comfortable at the center she's at, and was more worried about her not napping/eating vs being abused, etc. </p> <p>I love everything that daycare has helped DD to achieve; she is amazing with social interactions, new environments, and talks like there's no tomorrow! Try to think of the good things that will come out of it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-im-being-ridiculous-preschool-worries#post-2584038 Mon, 11 Jul 2016 10:31:00 +0000 catlady 2584038@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'll come at this from the other side. My DD is 3 in Oct and will be starting preschool in a couple weeks. She has been in full-time daycare since she was 3 months old and will be continuing on to the preschool program within her daycare. She has thrived in her "school" so much already that I am really excited to see just how much more she will grow once she goes to preschool. </p> <p>I think how you are feeling now is absolutely normal since your kids have never been "away" from home but also please know that they can and will do great in another environment. I remember getting so upset and emotional after having to drop her off at daycare when she was an infant. But the transition ended up being harder on me than on her. Over the years, I've watched my LO make many friends and learn so much. It has been such a positive experience for us so far. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-im-being-ridiculous-preschool-worries#post-2584019 Mon, 11 Jul 2016 10:07:49 +0000 lilteacherbee 2584019@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My son will be 3 in November and he is starting preschool a few days a week this fall, too. I totally understand your concerns. He has been home with me for the past year and before that, he was with my mom while I worked. He's never been in a structured "classroom" setting and doesn't regularly see kids his own age (he has an 11 month old brother).</p> <p>BUT I taught preschool for 5 years and studied child development/education in college. From that standpoint, your LO will be fine! As a mom, I get the anxieties, but as a teacher, he'll be okay. There may be an initial adjustment period, but he'll have so much fun and learn sooo quickly! Definitely don't be afraid to talk with the teachers and express your concerns. It makes me sad to think about all of the negatives you've mentioned as well, but I think back to my kids I've had in my classes- I literally had ONE who cried until December every morning, the rest adjusted within a few weeks. They all made friends just fine, even if they needed a little extra attention about how to be "nice friends" and share, etc.</p> <p>Hugs! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-im-being-ridiculous-preschool-worries#post-2584012 Mon, 11 Jul 2016 09:58:28 +0000 ZombieBullfrogHoller 2584012@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So, DS is turning 3 in August and we are looking at preschools for a couple days a week to help with socialization and his speech. DH is a stay-at-home dad to him and DD who is 5 months and the kiddos who go to day care are out talking DS like woooah. This will also give DH a break as well which will help his sanity. </p> <p>So, I have so much anxiety over this. DS has never been "away from home." I'm totally that anxious mom in general, then add in some postpartum anxiety on top of that = the worst. But, I'm having all the feelings with sending to preschool now - most of which I think are completely normal and I'm trying to keep that in check. :P But I work in mental health with kids that have been sexually abused and I think this combined with some recent news articles are making me lose my mind. I keep thinking about him getting hurt, or abused, or not fitting in socially and it makes my stomach churn. I'm combating this with thinking of all the positives! :)</p> <p>So, please, tell me I'm being ridiculous. Did anyone have similar concerns? We have a tour of one of our top choices next week so I'm hoping going in and talking, meeting staff, and asking my 500 questions will help ease my mind! :P </p>