I was warned that the first 6 months of daycare would be challenging. The transitions are tough, the routine is new, and illnesses are rampant. While my son was thriving in this new environment, I had no idea how sick we would be for half a year. My otherwise healthy, happy, energetic one-year-old was dealing with a new illness every week – yes, week! And so were my husband and me. The Realities of Daycare: Illnesses, Transitions, and New Routines My guy started daycare in September last year, just in time for the Winter germs to settle in for a long hibernation. We battled the usual suspects – cold after cold, virus after virus, and in my guy’s case, five ear infections in five months. Everything came with a fever, goop, coughing, rashes, and stuffiness. We got our first call for an early pick-up on his third day. I had…

Daycare drop-off can be a teary-eyed ordeal for parents and kids. The tears, tantrums, clinginess to mom or dad, and screaming can be painful to witness. The guilt is heart-wrenching, but there are ways to ease the transition for everyone. We asked several daycare providers for their top tips to make the experience smoother. The consensus: keep it short and sweet. Here are five key tips for a less stressful daycare drop-off. Effective Daycare Drop-Off Strategies to Reduce Tears and Guilt: 1. Prepare the Night Before for a Stress-Free Morning Don’t rush! Preparing the night before is essential. Rushing your kids in the morning overstimulates them and increases their stress hormones, which can lead to tantrums. By getting ready the night before, you avoid the stress and chaos that can make the morning more difficult for everyone. 2. Stick to a Consistent Routine Babies and toddlers thrive when they know…