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.
- Difficulty:
- Moderately Challenging
Instructions
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1
Say goodbye to your child every time you leave, even if your child is busy playing.
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2
Keep it short and sweet - drawn out goodbyes are hard on everyone.
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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.
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4
Inform your child who will be picking her up.
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5
Establish a goodbye routine, such as reading one last book or giving a final wave goodbye from a window.
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6
Enlist the support of your child's primary caregiver in the day care setting if your child is having a hard time separating.
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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.
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8
Provide photographs of mom, dad and other special people for your child to hold and gaze at when she is missing you.
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9
Encourage your child to talk about her feelings when you pick her up. Remind her that you always come back.
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10
Keep in mind that strategies for successful goodbyes that work with one child may not work with another.
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1
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.
