During the interview, I had a conversation with a parent who enrolled her daughter in child care when she was 1 ½ years old. Currently, her daughter is now 2 years old.
The parent found it difficult to leave her child in child care for the first time, as both the parent and the child had to cope with their emotions of separation.
Having gone through a similar situation when I enrolled my son in child care, I sympathized with this parent.
From this parent, I acquired an understanding of the unique techniques she used to say goodbye to her daughter. These methods were specifically tailored for them and aimed at making their separation easier.
The mother accompanied her daughter to the child care setting, assisting her in getting comfortable. She removed her daughter’s shoes and coat, warmly embraced and kissed her, and provided reassurance that she would be back later in the day. The mother discovered that using the phrase “I’ll see you later” instead of saying “Goodbye” alleviated her daughter’s apprehension about staying.
Both the parent and I shared a common struggle with letting go. We both experienced a combination of sadness and guilt, contemplating the potential missed opportunities in our child’s learning journey and daily explorations. Bid farewell to our children proved difficult for both of us. Nonetheless, conversing with the caregiver provided solace by assuring us that numerous other parents have similar emotions. This realization helped us understand that these sentiments are normal and can assist our children in developing coping mechanisms.
Even though the parent experienced jealousy towards the strong connection between the caregiver and her daughter, they found solace in knowing that a young child’s attachment to a different caregiver is separate from their attachment to their own parents.
During a conversation with another parent while taking my child to daycare, I learned that this childcare facility has provided an opportunity for my child to realize the existence of other caring adults whom they can trust, in addition to us as parents.
To ensure that daycare has a positive impact on a child’s growth, collaboration between parents and child care providers is essential. It is important for them to work together as partners in supporting children throughout their development.
Failure to address these concerns can result in feelings of awkwardness, tension, and fear. Nevertheless, when children are encouraged to openly communicate about their thoughts and inquiries, we notice that they become more accepting and empathetic. Through open dialogue about differences, children can conquer their fears and experience a greater sense of comfort.
