Now that we have two kids, I've noticed certain patterns emerging... like the lifecycle of daycare pickups. We went through all four phases with our son... and are going through them again with our daughter.

Here they are, so you can mentally prepare yourself:

Phase 1: "Mommy! Daddy!!"

You'll get a huge smile from your little one, and if you're lucky they'll even softly say your name as you pick up your little rugrat. Your heart will melt and you'll tell everyone you know that daycare pickup is your favorite part of the day.

Phase 2: "Mommmmmyyyyy!! Daaddddddddddy!!! Hey hey, it's my daddy!!"

Your toddler will run towards you and leap into your arms at full speed while they scream your name at the top of their lungs! They're so excited, they tell all their friends who you are as if no one has ever seen you before. "IT'S MY DADDY!!!" You won't believe how lucky you are... daycare pickup just keeps getting better and better. This is where our daughter is right now... I love it so much.

Phase 3: Nonchalance.

Your toddler will see you enter the daycare, look you in the eye, and then turn back to their toys and/or friends without a word. The first time this happened, I thought maybe my son hadn't seen me. "Hey hey, it's me, your dad!"

Nope, turned out that he had seen me. He just didn't care. Pickups take twice as long in phase 3.

Phase 4: Rejection

Now when your toddler or pre-schooler sees you, they start to cry or even turn their back on you. They want to stay at their daycare or school forever... they just don't want to go home. They don't want you... the words "go away!" might even be uttered. Pickups now take 3-4x as long, as you have to negotiate with your little one.

You may even start to bring little bribes to entice them home: candy, iPhone usage, promises of an unspecified "special surprise" when you get home (you may not even know yet what this surprise is, but you'll figure it out once you get home).

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So there you go... that's the four phases of daycare pickup. This lifecycle only goes to age 4 or so, since my eldest is 4... who knows what lies in wait. If your child is 5 or older, let us know what is ahead!

What phase is your LO in right now?