How to Say Goodbye to Your Child at Day Care

Saying goodbye can be just as hard - if not harder - for parents than it is for their children. Goodbyes are a very important part of the process to help children feel safe and confident in the day care setting.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Baby Blankets
• Infant/toddler Toys

1. Say goodbye to your child every time you leave, even if your child is busy playing.
2. Keep it short and sweet - drawn out goodbyes are hard on everyone.
3. Tell your child (no matter how old) that you are leaving, who will be caring for her and that you will see her later.
4. Inform your child who will be picking her up.
5. Establish a goodbye routine, such as reading one last book or giving a final wave goodbye from a window.
6. Enlist the support of your child's primary caregiver in the day care setting if your child is having a hard time separating.
7. Encourage your child to bring something special to the child care setting, such as a blanket or soft toy to help when she needs to be comforted.
8. Provide photographs of mom, dad and other special people for your child to hold and gaze at when she is missing you.
9. Encourage your child to talk about her feelings when you pick her up. Remind her that you always come back.
10. Keep in mind that strategies for successful goodbyes that work with one child may not work with another.

Tips & Warnings

• Some parents recommend reading a book to a child about another child going to day care to help master any feelings of anxiety about separating.