We just joined a new chruch and we were very excited to put our three kids in their Sunday school and nursery programs while we were at the service. My older two did great, but my 18 month old cried so hard and was banging his head on the wall becuase he was so upset. None of my kids have been in a daycare situation before so it was new for all of them. How can I help him stay in nursey without it being so trumatic for him (and me as well.
Thank you for your input. This week we took him there and left. I kept expecting them to come get me, but they never did. They said he cried a lot, but not the whole time. He didn't bang his head this time either! Anyway, we are just going to hope each week gets better. Thank you again.
Ease him into it. Volunteer for a couple of Sundays, so you are with him. Then the next time stay half the time, and eventually leave him the whole time. It will take time. My son was never in daycare either, so it was an adjustment for him as well--but he did adjust. If he still is not adjusting after all that, than I would just take him with you.
GL:)
B., I agree with Tamara. Since this is new for him, you need to acclimate your child by being there for the first few times, and then wean him off you. As he develops new relationships with the other caregivers, and children, he will feel more happy to be there. I hope that you are able to enjoy the services with your husband soon. It's such a blessing to be together, especially since this is a new church to you both.
J.
I think it's just an adjustment issue - I think Tamara had some good points. In the end, I wouldn't come back and get him unless it was absolutly necessary. If you've been coming in and trying to soothe him or get him to stop or to get him, he'll continue to cry until he knows you are not coming back to get him till it's time. He's old enough to grasp that.
As far as the OP and her assertion that she 'never left her dd in the nursery' and that there are 'too many germs' and that they aren't as 'regulated' as a daycare - for goodness sakes woman, it's an hour, hour and a half. Germs? No more than your child would encounter in a grocery store. We wash all toys played with in our nursery and keep everything as clean as necessary. How do you people think kids get a decent immune system? Certainly not by keeping them wrapped in bubble wrap.
My son goes to daycare, so it was an easy adjustment. I do volunteer every other Sunday, which also helped.
I would like to state that at my church they do a background check on you prior to volunteering and the room is sanitized daily. We take pride in our nursery, which I am sure most churches do.
I agree with the advice to volunteer. Your child will be eased into the nursery and you will be serving at the same time! It is a win/win situation. Note that you are not alone, I have held several criers.
This too shall pass.
Hi B., I have seen this often, I use to be the head of the Nursery long ago, this is my suggestion, stay in the room with him for maybe the first month, each time maybe start to leave after being there for half the service, its like anything weening a child from a bottle or pacifier, you don't just take it away all at once, stay active with him, and watch his interaction with the other children, this is a very attached age, and a time where they start showing a clingingness around strangers, he doesn't know anyone so you must stay introduce the little one to everything, better you then the nursery worker that he doesn't know either, and I'm sure they will not have a problem with you staying they can use your help, you will have a much happier child in the end.
I never put my dd in nursery...to many germs, they aren't as regulated as Daycares.
Take turns going to church, and staying home with the little one.
Hi B.,
I am a pastors wife and also a mom of 4 boys today they are 15,14,12,and 9 so the nursery issues no longer exist but it has been my experience that they will cry for a while but they do eventually get used to it as long as the church nursery workeres have the patience to not call you every time. You can not go running~ also remeber sometimes it is an act` they cry an scream and bang there heads until they know mom is not looking anymore and then they are fine~ good luck and I will be praying for you, it is easeir to concentrate when you know the babies are being well cared for. Contact me if you want to chat more!
I am a mother of 3 boys and all of them cried in the nursery. With my first I was new to the church and so it was especially hard b/c I did not know any of the ladies working in the nursery. So in addition to the advise from the other ladies, I would encourage you to get to know some of the people working. It will help you.
I have to be honest, mine all continued to cry when I would drop them off until they were 3 and moved up to the Sunday school class. My mom said I cried every Sunday in the nursery too, and I was related to half the people at my church. So I guess it's in my blood.
Hi,
I'm going through the same thing right now. My son will be 7 months tomorrow. He has cried the last 3 times. They give us a beeper, and if they can not get him to calm down within 10 minutes, they call me. The advice that I give is, don't stop putting him in the nursury, because then he will learn that if he cries he won't have to go there and that just is not a good thing. I have been a SAH mom too, since my oldest son, he is 5, has been born. So, I totally understand your situation, but sooner or later they need to learn to be with other caregivers and children. How many other children are in the nursury? Is there enough help, to give your son proper atention? Hope everything gets better for you!
