Daycare Advise....

Hi P.,

I run a licensed in home daycare listed on this website and I offer day rate plans. $40 a day and this includes breakfast, lunch, and all drinks and snacks. I have a wonderful playscape and playroom for the children. I currently have two children that are the same age as your daughter that would make wonderful playmates. I have Monday and Wednesday open. Feel free to call anytime to meet and we could start whenever your ready! :) I am located in Northwest Livonia. Mrs. Marci ###-###-####

Try more then one day so that she can really get a feel for it and also so that she can really get into the routine of it too. Good Luck

I think it is a great idea, it will help her be more independant. Don't feel bad for thinking about this, you have her best interests at heart. I don't know of any daycares in your area but maybe an in home daycare would be good for her, they tend to be less money and more flexible for you, and would also give her more a sense of security in a home setting. I would also say that one day a week might ber hard for her to get used to but maybe a couple of hours 2 or 3 times a week would be easier. That's what I found with my eldest, he went once a week and couldn't get into it because there was too much time off in between, but when he started going three days a week he settled much easier. Remember it may hard at first and she will probably cry when you leave her but generally kids stop crying only minutes after Mom has left. This will be great for her, she will realise that Mommy does have to leave her sometimes but always comes back.

Hi P.,

I'm in the Livonia Mommies group and saw the responses you got. Although there are tons of days that I wish I could drop my kids off at a daycare (for different reasons than you), there really isn't a need to. You mentioned that you aren't even looking for alone time, just for her to learn to be more independent.
My daughter was really clingy all the time, but when she turned 3 she went to preschool without ever looking back. Instead of putting her in daycare (which could cause her to be more clingy when she's with you), I would find a mom that has a lot in common with you and make plans with her several days a week. I met a great friend from Livonia Mommies (she has since moved out of state). We would call each other almost every day and make some kind of plans and our kids played AWESOME together. The best part about that is you get to pick the mom and child for your daughter to hang around with. I have come across some very ROUGH children and would NOT want my child to learn from their behavior. While many mom's screen the childcare establishment and caregiver, how many really pay attention to the children their kids will be learning from and interacting with?
My advice:
*Check out this link on separation anxiety and the normal ages toddlers go through it:
http://www.babycenter.com/0_separation-anxiety_12652.bc
*Don't put her in daycare.
*Get yourself involved in a different mom's group if you are not clicking with any of the moms in your current group.
*The Livonia Libraries offer free lapsit programs (which I do with both my kids)
*the Livonia Rec Center offers swim classes and a class called two's on move for 2 yr olds--all things you do with your child until they are 3 yrs old.
*If you work out, the Rec center has childcare for up to 2 hours (that was something I did with my kids). This lets them interact with other kids and get used to being without you (2 hours is a LONG time for a 17 mth old).
*Kindermusic is also free once a month at coffee shops around the area.
*17 mths is just the age where they tend to have a hard time separating from you (this is normal). Make sure you NEVER slip out without saying goodbye--that's the best thing I learned from our Ped.
Good Luck!
Maybe I'll meet you at a playdate soon.
A.

Hi

I'll play devils advocate...Your going to want to be careful... This is the age when childrens imaginations really start to develope. If she gets frightened her imagination may run away with her. She isn't old enough to understand time, so saying you'll be back in a few hours may as well be a week.

Night Terrors are very common at this age as well as nightmares. There are lots of things that scare toddlers but the biggest I think is being lost or left.

Now I'm not saying she won't benifit from some alone time but this may be a bit much for her to start with. Have you ever left her with a sitter? Did she do ok with that?

Toddlers are learning things so fast and as their exploring this world, they need to know they are safe and secure.

Now, children go into daycare all the time and some pick up bad habits not to mention colds. Some do really well and others hate it, so please take everything into consideration before taking this step.

As her mother you know what's best for her. If you think this is what she needs, then be be content with your decision :)

Good Luck
God Bless
K. SAHM of 3

I think it would be good for your daughter to interact with other kids on her own. When she gets to school that is what she will have to do. It is hard when you take your child to school and they cry for you and hang on your leg. It would give her experience of doing something on her own. Change is hard for them............good luck