Child Refuses to Leave Daycare
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Child Refuses to Leave Daycare
July 2002
I have a 2 month old baby & a 2.5 yr old. My 2.5 year old goes
to day care and when I pick her up, she refuses to leave. I
have tried a variety of things: pick her up earlier (so I can
play with her), pick her up later, bribery (food, favorite toys
waiting in the car for her), telling her nicely but firmly, or I
just physically pick her up while she screams that she wants to
stay at ''school''. I have tried to schedule her pick ups to get
home in time to nurse my 2 month old. Most times, we end up
staying at the day care for 30 minutes or much longer!
I thought about getting a timer and telling her when the alarm
rings that it's time to go but want other thoughts on how to
handle the situation. The majority of the time, she listens and
follows what I say (she is 2 after all) but this is the only
time it is a struggle!
Thanks!
My 3 year old used to be the only kid who would sob when I
arrived to pick him up. I took advice from one of the
preschool teachers and my older son who both
recommended having his favorite candy in my hand or
promise of an ice cream if he came with me without making
a fuss. At first I balked. Then I figured a little sugar was a lot
better for both of us than a full-blown melt-down. It worked.
Just a note - these things are always in flux. The past week
(he's now 4) he decided he didn't want to go to preschool
anymore so we're having meltdowns the other way. I hate 4.
I can't wait until he grows up a little more...
kj
It sounds like your little one is going through a LOT of changes
right now. Would it be possible to bring the baby to daycare
with you and let her take her time getting ready to go? How
about going home and having your mother? aunt? (whomever is
taking care of the 2mo) pick up your daughter? How about coming
home on the bus or BART? How about bicycling? How about asking
her why she doesn't want to leave and seeing what suggestions she
has for leaving.
kathy
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