Hi there
My name is Joany, I am a 34 year old mom, I come from The Netherlands. My son (12 months old) is a high-need child en goes to daycare 2 days a week. I was concerned too in the beginning. This is our story: When he was 3 months he went there for half a day and he was very satisfied!!! He liked to watch the playing children and didn't fuss at all! That time, one day a week grandma watched over him but on those days he was fussing very much so we dicided to quit grandma and bring him to daycare because he did like daycare! I was surprised about that! He knows what he wants and how to let us know... In daycare he slept in an perambulator so they could rock him to sleep. When he became about 6 months old he had a bad period. This was after we went on a vacation for almost 4 weeks, after that he went to daycare for 2 days. He had to get used all over again. Six months was a more difficult age to get used en accept daycare is my experience. For one day he really cried a lot, very angry, and my hart was broken to hear about it. I wanted to quit my job! But my husband kept me from doing so, we need the money... So I decided to watch it for a littlewhile...there where also very joyful moments. It didn't take long before our son got used to the group, everyday there was progress and after a short time he was even having a great time there! Boy was I happy!!!!! Of course in the beginning he was very loud about letting them know that he didn't want to be there. But the workers there are very sweet ladies. They did everything they could to make him feel good and followed our wishes and advice. They never let him cry, held him a lot. But nowadays he wants to play on the floor all day!! I almost cannot believe it, but I see it for myself. He needs a lot of challenge, likes to be around people especially other children. At home he wants to be at my boob a lot, wants te be held most of the time and I have to to provide him constantly with things to do, but at daycare he is playing en laughing all day! This is what he needs! For a few days a week, when it is a nice place to go where workers follow the childs needs, my experience is that daycare is great. O, after a while he didnt fit no more in the perambulator, so he had to sleep in a regular bed. Of course he cried it out en the workers took him out of bed everytime and comforted him. Many time he sleeps in a rocking chair in the middle of the group. They keep trying to get him to sleep in a regular bed and I almost cannot believe it but he sleeps in it many times!!!! He doesn't do this at home???!!!!!! If he cries loudly or more then a few minutes they still take him out of bed and put him in the rocking chair. If he wants to cuddle they cuddle. He almost doesn't fuss there, it is the same when I take him out to a playground. He is totally happy. My advice is that if you don't have to bring your child, than don't. I wouldn't have if I had the chance...there are many other options where your child can play and be happy around other kids if he likes to do that. I would prefer to be around. But on the other hand my job gives me joy and strenght, I also love the days at home with him. My job help me to be more relaxed mom. If you do bring him to daycare, communicate a lot with the workers and make sure they follow what you tell them to do. Your child will 'tell' you if he is okay there, you will notice! My son is very happy at daycare! Good luck!!!!!!!
