Going back to work...

Thursday, October 23, 2008 11:22 AM | Deleted user

I often have dreams where something happens to my son in daycare, while I'm at work. It's hard to explain the level of paranoia that I am experiencing the second I wake up. My husband and I have selected a wonderful daycare, which has been praised by my two friends, and I have seen their kids happy there. It's just the idea that someone else will be taking care of my child.. and it just doesn't settle in my head yet..

Comments

  • Thursday, October 23, 2008 12:04 PM | Claire (Administrator)
    Hi Julie,
    This is actually something that happens to quite a few moms. I remember the same thing happening to me when Katelyn was about 3 months. I was planning to return to week only one day a week, but I would have extremely terrifying dreams. I would wake up in tears, afraid to fall asleep b/c I didn't want to have these dreams. After speaking with my doctor he said I have abandonment issues, basically, I was afraid that Katelyn would think I was abandoning her and I felt like I was a bad mom for wanting to go back to work. I decided not to go back to work right away and the dreams also went away. If you have found a daycare, leave it at that... don't think about going to work yet. He's only four months so you have another seven months to go... think about it when he's 11 months. This too shall pass... :-)
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  • Friday, October 24, 2008 9:49 AM | Mireille
    Hi Julie, I am just getting ready to interview potential home day care providers and I am feeling quite anxious myself! How did you get through it? I am feeling like I won't even be able to give anyone we meet a chance because my expectations are so high. When I visited our two local daycare centres (both do not have space for us at this time) I felt really critical and eventually agreed to get put on their waiting list just in case, but I'm really not sure I'm ready to give Thomas over to strangers! Help!
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  • Tuesday, November 04, 2008 4:43 PM | Lana Barkan
    Hi Julie,
    I had similar fears about my daughter Anna starting daycare. The best way for me to alleviate my fears was to go to that home-based daycare with my daughter several times and stay there with her for an hour or so. This way, you will notice things that you like or don't like, and you will also be able to make a decision if this place is right for you. So far, I have gone to 3 daycares, and by staying there for an hour with my daughter I could develop a clear picture of what the place is like.
    Also, I don't recommend worrying about it too early in advance. Sure, there's a waiting list to worry about, but there's also quite a few home-based daycare centres to choose from.
    You could also ease your anxiety by finding a babysitter and leaving your child with a babysitter for a few hours every now and then. Believe me, being able to do have some "me" time will only benefit your life. It will also ease the separation anxiety.
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  • Saturday, November 15, 2008 4:36 PM | Mireille
    Hi again, I just wanted to update my situation - I did find a home daycare via Wee Watch that both my husband and I are happy with and we think Thomas will be too. I'll be starting him part time of course about 10 days ahead of when I go back to work. I'm still nervous about it, but having settled on a caregiver who is very warm and nurturing and fun helps alleviate some of the stress.
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