There comes a time in every parents life when they have to leave their child with someone else for the first time. This can be a time of high anxiety for both baby and parent. How you as a parent react will help your child adjust to the new changes as well. It's important to take it step by step but to not try to much to prolong the process.
In my experience the best way to deal with a goodbye is to handle it like a band aid. When you get to the babysitters house, promptly tell your child goodbye and express you'll be back later. If your child is old enough to sense a passage of time you can explain it'll be when the sun goes down, or just after lunch.
If your child is much younger or especially shy, bring some of her favorite toys with you to give her a feel of comfort as you leave. Give them to the babysitter. Allow the babysitter to play with your baby to show they're not a threat. Try not to overcompensate by giving your child a pacifier or a safety blanket to comfort his loss. In the end it'll create more attachment to an object you'll eventually have to remove and it'll put "going to daycare" in the same list as "getting vaccinations." Don't be afraid of tears! We know it breaks your heart to see your little one so upset over your departure but unless you have one of those cool jobs where it's okay to bring your kids to work with you, you're only prolonging the inevitable and creating a longer time your child will be upset for.
One thing you have to understand is that once your gone the "out of sight, out of mind" tends to take hold and soon your child will see new opportunities to explore without you. This is where the parent root comes in. Are they going to grow up while you're gone? Not entirely, but once they start getting into routine dealing with goodbye will get much easier and you'll be able to see your child's progress increasing with each passing day. You can come home to your little one telling you his favorite color is now yellow or that he knows all the words to "twinkle, twinkle little star."
Don't be afraid to miss a couple things. I know there are a few milestones we want to see our children reach but understand that you didn't miss it intentionally and there will be more. This can be a hard truth to swallow, working parents don't have the luxury of spending all day at home. We can't capture every moment on film and chances are you'll come home with things to add to the baby book. Don't worry you'll still be able to get pictures of his tux at his first prom and you'll definitely get to share the process of potty training.
I think we're more afraid of our own opinions when dealing with goodbye. If your child is especially shy it may seem much more tragic when you leave. Just understand that allowing your child to benefit from someone else's company will expand his/her communication skills and improve outgoing personality.
Dealing with goodbye is inevitable. Eventually you're going to have to send the little one to school and some parents are okay with waiting until then to get a little break. Do yourselves a favor moms and dads, go out once in a while. Hire a babysitter while you go to dinner. Don't be afraid of change. Fear is contagious.
In my experience the best way to deal with a goodbye is to handle it like a band aid. When you get to the babysitters house, promptly tell your child goodbye and express you'll be back later. If your child is old enough to sense a passage of time you can explain it'll be when the sun goes down, or just after lunch.
If your child is much younger or especially shy, bring some of her favorite toys with you to give her a feel of comfort as you leave. Give them to the babysitter. Allow the babysitter to play with your baby to show they're not a threat. Try not to overcompensate by giving your child a pacifier or a safety blanket to comfort his loss. In the end it'll create more attachment to an object you'll eventually have to remove and it'll put "going to daycare" in the same list as "getting vaccinations." Don't be afraid of tears! We know it breaks your heart to see your little one so upset over your departure but unless you have one of those cool jobs where it's okay to bring your kids to work with you, you're only prolonging the inevitable and creating a longer time your child will be upset for.
One thing you have to understand is that once your gone the "out of sight, out of mind" tends to take hold and soon your child will see new opportunities to explore without you. This is where the parent root comes in. Are they going to grow up while you're gone? Not entirely, but once they start getting into routine dealing with goodbye will get much easier and you'll be able to see your child's progress increasing with each passing day. You can come home to your little one telling you his favorite color is now yellow or that he knows all the words to "twinkle, twinkle little star."
Don't be afraid to miss a couple things. I know there are a few milestones we want to see our children reach but understand that you didn't miss it intentionally and there will be more. This can be a hard truth to swallow, working parents don't have the luxury of spending all day at home. We can't capture every moment on film and chances are you'll come home with things to add to the baby book. Don't worry you'll still be able to get pictures of his tux at his first prom and you'll definitely get to share the process of potty training.
I think we're more afraid of our own opinions when dealing with goodbye. If your child is especially shy it may seem much more tragic when you leave. Just understand that allowing your child to benefit from someone else's company will expand his/her communication skills and improve outgoing personality.
Dealing with goodbye is inevitable. Eventually you're going to have to send the little one to school and some parents are okay with waiting until then to get a little break. Do yourselves a favor moms and dads, go out once in a while. Hire a babysitter while you go to dinner. Don't be afraid of change. Fear is contagious.
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