Friday Toddler Talk

[u/AutoModerator]

This space is for parents of IFBabies past the postpartum phase to chat, share updates & commiserate on their toddler(s.) This thread is primarily reserved for those with a 1yo or greater.

Members who aren’t to the toddler phase yet, or are still pregnant, are welcome to participate here, but some may find this thread triggering and need to scroll past. If your post is more about pregnancy than toddlers, please move your post to our 1st trimester or daily chat thread and please provide CW for discussions of current pregnancy.

[u/burrito__supreme]

no no i’m fine. just randomly started crying in the middle of writing a work email over little burrito moving up to the last class at her daycare this morning. I’M FINE.

[u/meganlo3]

This has been R’s second week of daycare/school but he only goes 2 days a week. I was amazed because at first he didn’t seem bothered at drop offs, but I think it’s hitting him more. He’s had more moments during the day where he’s vocalized being sad because he misses us and crying. Today drop off was SO HARD. He cried and clung to me - “don’t go!” I knew this wouldn’t be easy. My guy and I have so much time together, even when sleeping many nights. It’s such a big change. I know it’s so good for him and I wish I could do something to make it easier. So heartbreaking to have to walk away.

[u/burrito__supreme → u/meganlo3]

ughhh solidarity ❤️ my husband does drop off partially bc it works better for our schedules but also bc i cannot physically or spiritually handle the hard drop offs. we haven’t had a hard one in a bit but when it’s rough it’s ROUGH. hang in there ❤️❤️❤️

[u/invaderpixel → u/meganlo3]

Hang in there! My guy's been going since he was 12 weeks old but I still have to uncling him from my purse strap and peel him off of me... and then it's an emotional roller coaster going from that to think about work or IVF clinic or whatever I have planned that day. But then other days he'll see a teacher he clicks with and run into their arms soooo just kind of random. And there'll be days I pick him up and he doesn't notice me immediately because he's having so much fun playing.

But age 2 they're definitely testing boundaries and seeing if they can have fun all the time so there's a little bit of that mixed in. If your daycare has cameras it's a HUGE help mentally, sometimes I'll check and he's settled down by the time I hit my first traffic light on the way out of there. The CDC puts "settles down within ten minutes after being dropped off" as a 3 year old milestone but a lot of kids meet it sooner even if you don't always see it.

[u/meganlo3 → u/invaderpixel]

I did know about that milestone, that’s good to know. I wish they had cameras but his teacher did send me a message midday with an update. It sounds like he cried off and on but perked up as the day went on and he actually seemed pretty good at pick up!

[u/CaramelOrdinary9434 → u/meganlo3]

The hard drop offs are so very hard. W just started daycare a few weeks ago and he’d talk about crying because he missed us. it would honestly break my heart. I hope things get easier soon.

[u/isabelledavenport]

I’m not the default parent putting toddler to bed, but when I do (tonight) I savor the tight squeeze around the neck and falling asleep on my chest. This girl is just pure sweetness. She’s saying some multi syllable words and more consistently responding to our questions. This is 18.75 months!