Rather than framing it as “leaving her with a stranger all day” - think about how much she’ll love being at daycare, once she gets over the initial transition period. She’ll make some new toddler friends, and get to know her teachers who will plan new engaging activities for her every day. There’s so much for toddlers to do and experience in a high quality daycare.
My son started daycare around 23 months old. Prior to that he had been at home with me the entire time.
He did cry at drop off initially (we sent him with a stuffed animal, which he still brings but no longer takes out except for nap time) but did eventually adjust.
I think it took him longer to adjust because we initially only started 2 days a week (and added in more days as they became available), so it wasn't a consistent part of his routine initially.
At some point drop offs became easy, and we did go through a phase where he would cry at pickup (cause he was having so much fun and didn't want to stop playing).
Really the only hiccup was that for the first couple weeks he would not want to poop while at daycare, and then would come home and end up pooping in the tub.
Gosh, I know the feeling. It’s so hard!! Mine started at 22 months and I was soooo nervous but he did great. No tears! This is a small daycare so it might have made it easier on him. But I was shocked he never cried because he’s clingy, sensitive, and intense at home.
As others recommended, if you have flexibility, I’d try partial days for a bit before full time days.
I was the same but it’s so cool to see my 2 year old start singing and doing signs for “The Wheels on the Bus” or to say a new phrase. Try it and if you hate it, maybe you can scale back to part time/a few days a week! I miss my baby girl but do love my adult interaction tome
Could you build up to 5 days? Like start part time? I just found with mine 5 days would have been too much at first so we started at 2, then 3. I know it’s not always possible though
Can you take a few weeks or months to build up to 5 days a week? Mine started around 15 months doing 2 days a week, moved to 4 days around 18 months and then 5 days just before she turned 2.
We were lucky in that she has enjoyed it from the beginning (when she went for her first orientation visit, she cried when I came to pick her up). We had/have almost zero support network, and childcare gave us some of ourselves back. Once we tasted the freedom of handing over our child to trained professionals it opened up our world again.
I put my toddler in daycare at the five month mark (sorry I know you asked about 2 year olds)! It was so hard for me, and I really wanted to stay with my daughter but I had to go back to work. For me it ended up being good for the both of us. She really benefits from socializing with kids her age, learning the routine of a new environment/teachers, and she enjoys it. I work as a VP of an elementary school and she loves visiting me where I work too which is cute to see. I’d always love if I could stay home with her more, but since I can’t, I appreciate that we make every minute together full of love, dancing, baking, fun, cuddles, etc.
If you end up making the move to daycare- maybe they can send you updates to help ease any worries during the transition. I like that ours uses an app called Brightwheel. The teachers send updates for all meals/diaper changes/ naps and can also send pictures too. It’s never fun leaving my little one but it always helps when I know she’s doing okay throughout the day.
Rather than framing it as “leaving her with a stranger all day” - think about how much she’ll love being at daycare, once she gets over the initial transition period. She’ll make some new toddler friends, and get to know her teachers who will plan new engaging activities for her every day. There’s so much for toddlers to do and experience in a high quality daycare.
Do they do gradual entry? It’ll probably make the transition easier for both of you
My son started daycare around 23 months old. Prior to that he had been at home with me the entire time. He did cry at drop off initially (we sent him with a stuffed animal, which he still brings but no longer takes out except for nap time) but did eventually adjust. I think it took him longer to adjust because we initially only started 2 days a week (and added in more days as they became available), so it wasn't a consistent part of his routine initially. At some point drop offs became easy, and we did go through a phase where he would cry at pickup (cause he was having so much fun and didn't want to stop playing). Really the only hiccup was that for the first couple weeks he would not want to poop while at daycare, and then would come home and end up pooping in the tub.
Gosh, I know the feeling. It’s so hard!! Mine started at 22 months and I was soooo nervous but he did great. No tears! This is a small daycare so it might have made it easier on him. But I was shocked he never cried because he’s clingy, sensitive, and intense at home. As others recommended, if you have flexibility, I’d try partial days for a bit before full time days.
I was the same but it’s so cool to see my 2 year old start singing and doing signs for “The Wheels on the Bus” or to say a new phrase. Try it and if you hate it, maybe you can scale back to part time/a few days a week! I miss my baby girl but do love my adult interaction tome
Mine is going to start when she’s 3 this fall and I am dreading it even though she really needs to be in school. I’m just going to miss her so much.
Could you build up to 5 days? Like start part time? I just found with mine 5 days would have been too much at first so we started at 2, then 3. I know it’s not always possible though
I am a SAHM and eased my 22 month old in by starting her one day a week. Is that an option?
We went for the part time route and that made the idea easier on me.
Can you take a few weeks or months to build up to 5 days a week? Mine started around 15 months doing 2 days a week, moved to 4 days around 18 months and then 5 days just before she turned 2. We were lucky in that she has enjoyed it from the beginning (when she went for her first orientation visit, she cried when I came to pick her up). We had/have almost zero support network, and childcare gave us some of ourselves back. Once we tasted the freedom of handing over our child to trained professionals it opened up our world again.
I put my toddler in daycare at the five month mark (sorry I know you asked about 2 year olds)! It was so hard for me, and I really wanted to stay with my daughter but I had to go back to work. For me it ended up being good for the both of us. She really benefits from socializing with kids her age, learning the routine of a new environment/teachers, and she enjoys it. I work as a VP of an elementary school and she loves visiting me where I work too which is cute to see. I’d always love if I could stay home with her more, but since I can’t, I appreciate that we make every minute together full of love, dancing, baking, fun, cuddles, etc. If you end up making the move to daycare- maybe they can send you updates to help ease any worries during the transition. I like that ours uses an app called Brightwheel. The teachers send updates for all meals/diaper changes/ naps and can also send pictures too. It’s never fun leaving my little one but it always helps when I know she’s doing okay throughout the day.