First week in May

[KEG123]

Is going to be SUPER busy for me!! Granted, I'm sure you'll all think it'll be a walk in the park... butttt...

I have my FT 17 month old starting, and my 2-year old twins starting PT the same week! So I'll have 4 little ones (including my 3 year old) on Wednesdays and Fridays and just my son and the 17 month old the other days. BUT I'm super super super excited!

Any tips or tricks you found useful your first week doing daycare?

[Pammie]

Any tips or tricks you found useful your first week doing daycare?

Yup - don't expect too much from yourself or the kids.

Consider the first couple of weeks "bonding" time for everyone. Don't worry too much about adhering to schedules, activity plans, etc. Just make sure everyone gets fed when they're hungry, time to run and play and exert some energy, naps when they're tired, lots of lap-time with you, and hugs when they need them the most but deserve them the least. In the long run, I think it goes to developing a "well bonded" group.

JMO. Good Luck!!

[cheerfuldom]

yes, just really focus on the kids. don't plan anything out of the ordinary or plan to do anything other than help them get adjusted.

[KEG123]

Great idea. I didn't plan to get into a "schedule" for a while and was totally planning on just focusing on getting to know everyone!

[momofsix]

Woohoo!!! Good for you! You will be busy especially with them all starting at one time, but I'm sure you will do great.
Don't place too many expectations on yourself for that week. I would concentrate on everyone just getting used to eachother and enjoying themselves. I don't know what kind of "structure" you have planned, but don't get so worried about that that you forget to enjoy your kiddos, because that's what it's really all about!
I would try to have as much prepared as possible-lunches made, snacks ready to go, house cleaned . I would also make sure that you start right out setting the tone you want for pick-up and drop-off times. (or any issues you discover right away) The "rules" you set from the beginning are much easier for parents to grasp then something you try to change on them later!
Try not to stress too much about laundry/housework...if you get a little behind. (remember I said to do it beforehand: You will develop a routine soon enough. Also try to be done with work at a certain time, otherwise you can spend all night doing "daycare" stuff-which isn't good for you of your family.
And again...ENJOY!!!!
I hope you are blessed with kids that don't cry, whine, pee on the floor, have snotty noses... I hope you are blessed with kids that sleep well. play creatively, like their food and love you! And I pray you are blessed with parents that appreciate all you do for their little ones and show it by being respectful, being punctual and especially by paying on time!

[Missani]

Expect to be really tired in the evenings, too. I don't think I was ever so tired in all of my life as my first 2 weeks of daycare. I had worked long days before, but it's just a different kind of work. My DH laughed at me because I was falling asleep right after putting our kids to bed. You may want to make sure your own outside work plans are light that week as well.

[daycare]

First off my advice to you is to get a lot of rest when you can. Go to bed early when you can.

Dont plan a lot of activities for the week that they start and just focus on getting them accilmated to the other kids and your house.

Accept that the kids will all suffer anxiety seperation from mom and dad. Some will handel it well, some wont. I ususally take the first two weeks (trial period) to try to transition the child and learn thier personality and habits both good and bad.

Then get more rest....

[KEG123]

Thanks! I know I'm going to be super tired! I'm 13 weeks pregnant (almost 14) and I'm really going to miss my afternoon naps! (which I am able to take at least 2 a week as it is) They'll have to wait for the weekends!