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How to Say Goodbye to Your Child at Day Care

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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.

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    Difficulty:
    Moderately Challenging

    Instructions

    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.

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