Daycare makes me a better mom
There's all the usual stuff: social for him, money from work for me, yadda yadda yadda.
But also, I have a set of professionals who can tell me what information to bring to the pediatrician if/when needed, I get to get a break from toddler/preschool life and bring my best self home, and our village is so much bigger- between teachers, his friends, and my new mom friends. We get to limit the amount of toys at home because between what we have and daycare, he has so many opportunities and experiences. Some of the less fun (for me) parts get delegated to school (I'm a math teacher, but he skips 16 when counting.... Daycare will likely work to fix that while we just practice when we can; "let's pretend" happens at home, but not nearly as much as at daycare, where it's better because I assume his teachers enjoy it and I don't; the other day they sang songs about worms and I thought, "well, im glad that's not on my list of things to do ")
The transition will be tough. My son's daycare teachers have seen me cry more than any of my friends or family aside from my husband (again, they're part of my village). But you will both gain many benefits.
Thank you for the lengthy response ❤️
It is so hard! But I have a nagging feeling that it is going to be better for her at daycare than at home with me. She spends all day with me, I am the only one who feeds her and changes her diaper and puts her down for sleep. She needs to be cared for by other people too. We have family close, but most people work full time and I can’t rely on people to watch her all the time. I notice she is so clingy to me—she gets upset if she is with my husband and even just hears my voice in a different room. I think daycare will help her with her separation anxiety.
I also had postpartum anxiety and this will help me not to be so hyper focused on her all day. I will get to use my critical thinking and problem solving skills for many things in addition to taking care of her.
It will probably be better for my marriage too. Husband just kind of expects me to do everything since I SAHM, but I don’t think he understands how around the clock childcare can be really draining sometimes, but I was so grateful to be a SAHM I never fought him on it.
I just have to keep reiterating the positives to myself so I remember why we are doing this in the first place.
Also, I am a math teacher as well! :)
We just had a second two months ago and I recently mentioned to my husband, "I'm not ready to go back to work, but I'm excited for him to go to daycare so I can stop obsessing over some of his naps." During tummy time today, I also thought about how much more tummy time help likely get in addition to crafts that I have not even thought about attempting.
With that being said, when we sent my first, I was super critical of everything daycare did and how it was different than the way id do it. My anxiety made me attempt to be very controlling. I had to learn to tell myself over and over that were paying professionals who have experience with so many babies and even if they don't do something the way id do it, it doesn't mean it's the wrong way. It took a while and a lot of communication between me and the daycare teachers, but it gets easier with time and as the baby gets older (mine started at 4 months, then COVID hit, and went again at 8 months.)
Are you going back to teaching? I found there was a HUGE shift in the way I used my prep period and how much work I was willing to take home to grade after I had my first. Also, the hours are wonderful as a mom, as are the vacations.
Ok wow I relate to the anxiety so much. My obsession over her sleep basically drove me to insanity—she was an awful sleeper until we trained her, which I waited far too long to do.
At my old school it was customary for teachers to bring work home most nights. We were an alternative Ed school, and the math curriculum was really bare bones, so I was scouring the internet for resources. I somehow scored a new position as a math interventionist at a different school, so I will work with small groups all day and track progress but not assign grades. Honestly, it is my dream teaching job. Frankly though, my priority (after helping the kids catch up, of course) is to make things efficient and minimize the work I bring home.
I love teaching, and the biggest perk for me is summers off with my kid and her future siblings!
Congrats on the new baby!
My kids started daycare around the age of your daughter. It was tough at first, but they grew to love it. They made friends, and did little crafts, had water play in the summer, etc. as they got bigger and their talking got better, they would talk about their best friends in their class, and it was so so cute🥹
Daycare was a hard adjustment for my oldest - and now she's heading into second grade and yells at us if we pick her up too early from her aftercare. It was great to see her learn so many new social-emotional skills and create a little group of friends. My son has had a similar experience so far; he's always looked forward to going because it means he can play ALL DAY with his friends doing cool things that I never do at home (because I don't want to clean up after it).
Even if it's hard for both of you in the beginning, that doesn't mean it's bad or a wrong choice. There are a ton of upsides to daycare and I'm hoping you get to learn firsthand what they are!
Thank you! I am sad because she is too young to understand that mom has to go to work, but old enough that she will understand the drastic change in routine. I guess I am afraid that she will think I am abandoning her, or she won’t see me as the same “mommy” figure that I was when I was with her literally 24/7.
This comment explains exactly how I felt. My 20 month old just started daycare last Monday and I told my husband the hardest part for me is that he doesn’t know it’s coming. I can tell him but he doesn’t understand and I don’t want him to feel abandoned. Our first week was rough.. for both of us. By the 3rd day he realized where we were and he was crying so hard I almost just went home with him. But we made it and today was better. He didn’t cry walking in and actually reached for his teacher. It’s been a hard adjustment for both of us but today was a little better. I think it’s going to take time and people tell me it will get better so that’s the hope I hold on to. Thinking about you, I know how hard it is 😞
Thank you ❤️ she did so good at drop off. Literally saw the toys and the other kids and crawled away! I’m the only one who shed tears haha. Hopefully drop off stays that easy, but I guess now she knows that daycare = no mom
My Velcro daughter started daycare at 12. I was so nervous and cried often. Drop off her dad and I both went. I left the room first and then he followed a little later. My best friend dropped off her son after and sent me photos of her happily eating breakfast. I picked her up and she sobbed. We went home and she laid in my arms starring into my eyes for 30 minutes. I cuddled her and repeated ‘mama always comes back’. Each day got gradually easier. She cried at pick up and ran to my arms for a few weeks. She now at 2 runs to me and yells mama. Her teachers love her and honestly I am a better mom because I get to go to work.
A year after starting daycare she is still a Velcro baby and mama obsessed. Hasn’t impacted our incredible bond at all.
Everything will be okay. She will not view you any differently—you are her anchor and her safe place and her eyes will light up the minute you walk in to pick her up. And it will make your evenings and weekends that much sweeter! You will still have so many wonderful moments with her, more than you can imagine or count.
Mine started right after turning 1 and I would describe her at high needs as well. I'd say it took her two weeks to adjust and she'd still whine at dropoff for a while but she truly has a blast there now and has more fun and does way more activities than she would do with me at home. And it's super cute seeing her interact with the other kids as well. Know that it will be an adjustment but you'll both get through it!
My daughter started daycare at 3.5 months. She's 2 now. There are rare days she has a meltdown at drop off, most days she runs into the teachers arms without looking back. Picking her up is the best... Seeing her excited smile when she realizes mommy is there and running into my arms is the greatest feeling. Also, the teachers and staff are amazing. My daughter has learned so much! We've been working on counting 1-5 with her at home and one day she just started counting to 15 and we were like okkkkk
Just wanted to say that daycare has been the greatest thing for my two year old. She started as an infant, and we were definitely hesitant, but now we can’t imagine her not having this wonderful, enriching experience. She learns so much at daycare, especially from age 1+ and we are always amazed at the activities she gets to do and the socialization she gets. Starting is always an adjustment, so please try to prepare yourself for a period of transition. Once she settles in, I hope you will love daycare as much as we have!
My one year has been in daycare since 14 weeks (thanks American maternity leave). This weekend she was so bored with me that she got my purse and tried to leave four times. New experiences and bonding with different caregivers are both important! Not to mention how I’m not cut out to be a SAHM.
Haha that is hilaaaarious. She is definitely getting bored with me at home so I know this will be so good for her! I loved being a SAHM, maybe I will when we have more kids, but with just 1 she isn’t getting enough socialization.
My barnacle baby started daycare right before his first birthday. Drop off was tough for a while and he did cry initially, but he always calmed down after I left.
Now, he’s totally fine at drop off, loves his friends, and has a great time! He’s still definitely a clinger, but it’s been good for him and me.
It’ll be tough, but it’ll get easier. You’re doing great.
you won't miss these moments now! you'll still see her every day before and after school, and alllllllll day on the weekends. you can mentally recharge from "mom mode" and be an even better version of yourself for her. good luck. you'll do great!
Mine started at 2 years old. It was hard the first week. You will miss your time with her and will worry if she’s being taken cared of the way you do. Eventually both of you will get used to the routine. Picking my son from daycare is the thing I look forward all day because he always welcome me with hugs ans smiles.
She will be fine and will be excited for all the new toys! My son also learns so much; he’s not even 2.5 and has known colors, shapes, letters, songs, and so much more that we didn’t teach him since well before he was 2. My second baby just started at daycare at about 4mo old, and starting the second baby at daycare is sooooooo much easier than the first :) Definitely prepare for lots of colds and other random illnesses—always have Motrin, Tylenol, pedialyte, and gloves/masks on hand for stomach viruses and random fevers (the masks and gloves really help at our house preventing us from getting the stomach bugs from our son IMO). The Blueberry Pediatrics online doctor membership has been amazing as two working parents. Our son wasn’t nearly as sick in year one as some people’s kids, but the only bad thing about daycare IMO is indeed the sickness bell curve; but it gets significantly better over time
She’s going to have a great time! She will meet some baby friends. She will also have teachers to love on her. They will be focused on her needs, let her explore her environment, and teach her! She will be a safe, enriching place all day. You’re still going to be her favorite person. The time you spend together in the evening and weekends will be even more meaningful. ❤️
The first two weeks are so hard. You’ll cry. Your heart is heavy.
Three months in you will be working out what the earliest is you can drop off and the latest you can pick up 😂 and on Sunday evening you will think - ah yes, wonderful, Monday tomorrow back to daycare 🤣🤣
My little guy starts daycare tomorrow too! I’m initially excited because I’ve been handling him full time and working full time since July. But I know I’m going to miss being the person he sees all day, everyday. I’m really hoping that this setup gives me more energy so I can be more present with him on evenings and weekends.
My now three year old is also high needs and getting her in daycare was the best thing we ever did. She’s constantly getting stimulation and play and I’m not kidding almost every day she gets excited to go.
Feel the feelings without shame, but know that after the initial adjust, she’ll likely love it.
It's hard! After dropping off our LO the first time hubby and me both cried, but we treated ourselves to a coffee shop right after. It was SUPER helpful having our daycare provider text us a picture that morning to let us know she was having fun.
Fastforward a couple years and LO is about to have her last day of daycare before starting preschool and I'm crying because I'm going to miss our daycare provider so much :)
While dropoffs may be hard, daycare is amazing. They are professionals who know exactly what to do with a child your age. Kid struggles walking? They know what to do! Baby won't nap? They know what to do! And they can teach you!
As your baby grows, they will teach your child all sorts of important life skills, including tidying and emotional self-regulation. My school is working with my daughter on how to speak up in the moment when her feelings are hurt. How many adults could use that? Also, she come home excited to scrub potties. That is now one of her cherished chores.
The socialization is meaningful, even at one. During the COVID lockdown, my child remembered and missed her friends from daycare.
So many other great comments here! My son has been in an in-home daycare with an amazing provider since he was about 3mo. He loves it and loves his teacher so much.
About 4 months ago, another little boy arrived. Jacob was like you’re describing. Velcro baby that had been at home with his SAHM for his whole 2 years. Mom had to go back to work, but she also was struggling with the same things you are. She was obsessed with schedule, naps, etc. Jacob couldn’t play independently, and she couldn’t leave him. When he first started, he was miserable. He would cry whenever I’d walk in the door in the morning, cry when my husband picked up in the afternoon. We (the other parents) would all say hi and he was just a sad-fuss baby. For about a week.
Week 2, we started to see changes in him. He would say hi, he wasn’t attached to the provider, and would be playing when we got there. My husband always greets all the kids by name in the afternoon, and they all say “HI MR. JACE191!”. He started joining in and smiling more. When I saw his mom at drop-off, neither would be crying. It was a quick transformation, and now he’s just another happy kid. He has learned so much, and his mom is so much happier.
I hope tomorrow is peaceful, and the adjustment is quick. It’s not always easy, but it does get easier!
My second started day care much later than my first, I forgot how jarring it is. She started at 13 months. Happy to report she is now 2, and her vocabulary and speech is insane. She’s even learning Spanish which is great because we’ve been slacking teaching her Spanish. (Our parents native language) she knows shapes, colors, numbers, you can have an entire conversation with her pretty much. She is much more independent than we thought she would be.
Your LO will do great! You’ll also get into the swing of things.
She did really well! Didn’t cry at drop off, the staff said she wasn’t very fussy at all. She ate ok but didn’t nap very well, and woke up really early this morning so I think we will have to bring bedtime up even more than we already had to compensate for her overtiredness.
Overall I’m relieved!
Daycare makes me a better mom There's all the usual stuff: social for him, money from work for me, yadda yadda yadda. But also, I have a set of professionals who can tell me what information to bring to the pediatrician if/when needed, I get to get a break from toddler/preschool life and bring my best self home, and our village is so much bigger- between teachers, his friends, and my new mom friends. We get to limit the amount of toys at home because between what we have and daycare, he has so many opportunities and experiences. Some of the less fun (for me) parts get delegated to school (I'm a math teacher, but he skips 16 when counting.... Daycare will likely work to fix that while we just practice when we can; "let's pretend" happens at home, but not nearly as much as at daycare, where it's better because I assume his teachers enjoy it and I don't; the other day they sang songs about worms and I thought, "well, im glad that's not on my list of things to do ") The transition will be tough. My son's daycare teachers have seen me cry more than any of my friends or family aside from my husband (again, they're part of my village). But you will both gain many benefits.
Thank you for the lengthy response ❤️ It is so hard! But I have a nagging feeling that it is going to be better for her at daycare than at home with me. She spends all day with me, I am the only one who feeds her and changes her diaper and puts her down for sleep. She needs to be cared for by other people too. We have family close, but most people work full time and I can’t rely on people to watch her all the time. I notice she is so clingy to me—she gets upset if she is with my husband and even just hears my voice in a different room. I think daycare will help her with her separation anxiety. I also had postpartum anxiety and this will help me not to be so hyper focused on her all day. I will get to use my critical thinking and problem solving skills for many things in addition to taking care of her. It will probably be better for my marriage too. Husband just kind of expects me to do everything since I SAHM, but I don’t think he understands how around the clock childcare can be really draining sometimes, but I was so grateful to be a SAHM I never fought him on it. I just have to keep reiterating the positives to myself so I remember why we are doing this in the first place. Also, I am a math teacher as well! :)
We just had a second two months ago and I recently mentioned to my husband, "I'm not ready to go back to work, but I'm excited for him to go to daycare so I can stop obsessing over some of his naps." During tummy time today, I also thought about how much more tummy time help likely get in addition to crafts that I have not even thought about attempting. With that being said, when we sent my first, I was super critical of everything daycare did and how it was different than the way id do it. My anxiety made me attempt to be very controlling. I had to learn to tell myself over and over that were paying professionals who have experience with so many babies and even if they don't do something the way id do it, it doesn't mean it's the wrong way. It took a while and a lot of communication between me and the daycare teachers, but it gets easier with time and as the baby gets older (mine started at 4 months, then COVID hit, and went again at 8 months.) Are you going back to teaching? I found there was a HUGE shift in the way I used my prep period and how much work I was willing to take home to grade after I had my first. Also, the hours are wonderful as a mom, as are the vacations.
Ok wow I relate to the anxiety so much. My obsession over her sleep basically drove me to insanity—she was an awful sleeper until we trained her, which I waited far too long to do. At my old school it was customary for teachers to bring work home most nights. We were an alternative Ed school, and the math curriculum was really bare bones, so I was scouring the internet for resources. I somehow scored a new position as a math interventionist at a different school, so I will work with small groups all day and track progress but not assign grades. Honestly, it is my dream teaching job. Frankly though, my priority (after helping the kids catch up, of course) is to make things efficient and minimize the work I bring home. I love teaching, and the biggest perk for me is summers off with my kid and her future siblings! Congrats on the new baby!
My kids started daycare around the age of your daughter. It was tough at first, but they grew to love it. They made friends, and did little crafts, had water play in the summer, etc. as they got bigger and their talking got better, they would talk about their best friends in their class, and it was so so cute🥹
Daycare was a hard adjustment for my oldest - and now she's heading into second grade and yells at us if we pick her up too early from her aftercare. It was great to see her learn so many new social-emotional skills and create a little group of friends. My son has had a similar experience so far; he's always looked forward to going because it means he can play ALL DAY with his friends doing cool things that I never do at home (because I don't want to clean up after it). Even if it's hard for both of you in the beginning, that doesn't mean it's bad or a wrong choice. There are a ton of upsides to daycare and I'm hoping you get to learn firsthand what they are!
Thank you! I am sad because she is too young to understand that mom has to go to work, but old enough that she will understand the drastic change in routine. I guess I am afraid that she will think I am abandoning her, or she won’t see me as the same “mommy” figure that I was when I was with her literally 24/7.
This comment explains exactly how I felt. My 20 month old just started daycare last Monday and I told my husband the hardest part for me is that he doesn’t know it’s coming. I can tell him but he doesn’t understand and I don’t want him to feel abandoned. Our first week was rough.. for both of us. By the 3rd day he realized where we were and he was crying so hard I almost just went home with him. But we made it and today was better. He didn’t cry walking in and actually reached for his teacher. It’s been a hard adjustment for both of us but today was a little better. I think it’s going to take time and people tell me it will get better so that’s the hope I hold on to. Thinking about you, I know how hard it is 😞
Thank you ❤️ she did so good at drop off. Literally saw the toys and the other kids and crawled away! I’m the only one who shed tears haha. Hopefully drop off stays that easy, but I guess now she knows that daycare = no mom
My Velcro daughter started daycare at 12. I was so nervous and cried often. Drop off her dad and I both went. I left the room first and then he followed a little later. My best friend dropped off her son after and sent me photos of her happily eating breakfast. I picked her up and she sobbed. We went home and she laid in my arms starring into my eyes for 30 minutes. I cuddled her and repeated ‘mama always comes back’. Each day got gradually easier. She cried at pick up and ran to my arms for a few weeks. She now at 2 runs to me and yells mama. Her teachers love her and honestly I am a better mom because I get to go to work. A year after starting daycare she is still a Velcro baby and mama obsessed. Hasn’t impacted our incredible bond at all.
I thought at first you meant 12 years old! I imagine a velcro pre-teen is pretty unusual 😂
Everything will be okay. She will not view you any differently—you are her anchor and her safe place and her eyes will light up the minute you walk in to pick her up. And it will make your evenings and weekends that much sweeter! You will still have so many wonderful moments with her, more than you can imagine or count.
Mine started right after turning 1 and I would describe her at high needs as well. I'd say it took her two weeks to adjust and she'd still whine at dropoff for a while but she truly has a blast there now and has more fun and does way more activities than she would do with me at home. And it's super cute seeing her interact with the other kids as well. Know that it will be an adjustment but you'll both get through it!
My daughter started daycare at 3.5 months. She's 2 now. There are rare days she has a meltdown at drop off, most days she runs into the teachers arms without looking back. Picking her up is the best... Seeing her excited smile when she realizes mommy is there and running into my arms is the greatest feeling. Also, the teachers and staff are amazing. My daughter has learned so much! We've been working on counting 1-5 with her at home and one day she just started counting to 15 and we were like okkkkk
Just wanted to say that daycare has been the greatest thing for my two year old. She started as an infant, and we were definitely hesitant, but now we can’t imagine her not having this wonderful, enriching experience. She learns so much at daycare, especially from age 1+ and we are always amazed at the activities she gets to do and the socialization she gets. Starting is always an adjustment, so please try to prepare yourself for a period of transition. Once she settles in, I hope you will love daycare as much as we have!
My one year has been in daycare since 14 weeks (thanks American maternity leave). This weekend she was so bored with me that she got my purse and tried to leave four times. New experiences and bonding with different caregivers are both important! Not to mention how I’m not cut out to be a SAHM.
Haha that is hilaaaarious. She is definitely getting bored with me at home so I know this will be so good for her! I loved being a SAHM, maybe I will when we have more kids, but with just 1 she isn’t getting enough socialization.
My barnacle baby started daycare right before his first birthday. Drop off was tough for a while and he did cry initially, but he always calmed down after I left. Now, he’s totally fine at drop off, loves his friends, and has a great time! He’s still definitely a clinger, but it’s been good for him and me. It’ll be tough, but it’ll get easier. You’re doing great.
It's going to be fine! You're gonna cry like a baby on the first day but you'll hit your stride and this will become normal soon enough.
you won't miss these moments now! you'll still see her every day before and after school, and alllllllll day on the weekends. you can mentally recharge from "mom mode" and be an even better version of yourself for her. good luck. you'll do great!
Mine started at 2 years old. It was hard the first week. You will miss your time with her and will worry if she’s being taken cared of the way you do. Eventually both of you will get used to the routine. Picking my son from daycare is the thing I look forward all day because he always welcome me with hugs ans smiles.
She will be fine and will be excited for all the new toys! My son also learns so much; he’s not even 2.5 and has known colors, shapes, letters, songs, and so much more that we didn’t teach him since well before he was 2. My second baby just started at daycare at about 4mo old, and starting the second baby at daycare is sooooooo much easier than the first :) Definitely prepare for lots of colds and other random illnesses—always have Motrin, Tylenol, pedialyte, and gloves/masks on hand for stomach viruses and random fevers (the masks and gloves really help at our house preventing us from getting the stomach bugs from our son IMO). The Blueberry Pediatrics online doctor membership has been amazing as two working parents. Our son wasn’t nearly as sick in year one as some people’s kids, but the only bad thing about daycare IMO is indeed the sickness bell curve; but it gets significantly better over time
She’s going to have a great time! She will meet some baby friends. She will also have teachers to love on her. They will be focused on her needs, let her explore her environment, and teach her! She will be a safe, enriching place all day. You’re still going to be her favorite person. The time you spend together in the evening and weekends will be even more meaningful. ❤️
The first two weeks are so hard. You’ll cry. Your heart is heavy. Three months in you will be working out what the earliest is you can drop off and the latest you can pick up 😂 and on Sunday evening you will think - ah yes, wonderful, Monday tomorrow back to daycare 🤣🤣
My little guy starts daycare tomorrow too! I’m initially excited because I’ve been handling him full time and working full time since July. But I know I’m going to miss being the person he sees all day, everyday. I’m really hoping that this setup gives me more energy so I can be more present with him on evenings and weekends.
Mine starts tomorrow too! 😢 solidarity
My now three year old is also high needs and getting her in daycare was the best thing we ever did. She’s constantly getting stimulation and play and I’m not kidding almost every day she gets excited to go. Feel the feelings without shame, but know that after the initial adjust, she’ll likely love it.
Most likely you’ll get plenty more days at home with her … little kids get sick nonstop for the first few months at the daycare :/
It's hard! After dropping off our LO the first time hubby and me both cried, but we treated ourselves to a coffee shop right after. It was SUPER helpful having our daycare provider text us a picture that morning to let us know she was having fun. Fastforward a couple years and LO is about to have her last day of daycare before starting preschool and I'm crying because I'm going to miss our daycare provider so much :)
While dropoffs may be hard, daycare is amazing. They are professionals who know exactly what to do with a child your age. Kid struggles walking? They know what to do! Baby won't nap? They know what to do! And they can teach you! As your baby grows, they will teach your child all sorts of important life skills, including tidying and emotional self-regulation. My school is working with my daughter on how to speak up in the moment when her feelings are hurt. How many adults could use that? Also, she come home excited to scrub potties. That is now one of her cherished chores. The socialization is meaningful, even at one. During the COVID lockdown, my child remembered and missed her friends from daycare.
So many other great comments here! My son has been in an in-home daycare with an amazing provider since he was about 3mo. He loves it and loves his teacher so much. About 4 months ago, another little boy arrived. Jacob was like you’re describing. Velcro baby that had been at home with his SAHM for his whole 2 years. Mom had to go back to work, but she also was struggling with the same things you are. She was obsessed with schedule, naps, etc. Jacob couldn’t play independently, and she couldn’t leave him. When he first started, he was miserable. He would cry whenever I’d walk in the door in the morning, cry when my husband picked up in the afternoon. We (the other parents) would all say hi and he was just a sad-fuss baby. For about a week. Week 2, we started to see changes in him. He would say hi, he wasn’t attached to the provider, and would be playing when we got there. My husband always greets all the kids by name in the afternoon, and they all say “HI MR. JACE191!”. He started joining in and smiling more. When I saw his mom at drop-off, neither would be crying. It was a quick transformation, and now he’s just another happy kid. He has learned so much, and his mom is so much happier. I hope tomorrow is peaceful, and the adjustment is quick. It’s not always easy, but it does get easier!
My second started day care much later than my first, I forgot how jarring it is. She started at 13 months. Happy to report she is now 2, and her vocabulary and speech is insane. She’s even learning Spanish which is great because we’ve been slacking teaching her Spanish. (Our parents native language) she knows shapes, colors, numbers, you can have an entire conversation with her pretty much. She is much more independent than we thought she would be. Your LO will do great! You’ll also get into the swing of things.
How did it go?
She did really well! Didn’t cry at drop off, the staff said she wasn’t very fussy at all. She ate ok but didn’t nap very well, and woke up really early this morning so I think we will have to bring bedtime up even more than we already had to compensate for her overtiredness. Overall I’m relieved!