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Our son started nursery three weeks ago. He's 10 months old. I do the drop-off on the way to work, and every single time he screams and reaches for me as they take him.
The nursery staff say he stops crying a few minutes after I leave and has a lovely day. They send photos and he does look happy. But walking out the door while he's sobbing is the worst part of my day.
Is this normal? Does it stop? Should we be looking at a different nursery?
Totally normal and it does stop. Separation anxiety peaks around this age so the timing is tough. Keep the goodbye short and the same every time. Lingering makes it worse for both of you.
My daughter did this for about six weeks. Then one day she toddled off without looking back and I was weirdly offended.
The photos are a good sign. If they're showing you he's happy and engaged, they're doing their job. A different nursery would probably mean starting from scratch.
Thanks. I think I've been doing a long goodbye because I feel guilty. Going to try a quick hug and go tomorrow.
You could also ask the nursery to have the same key person meet you every morning. Mine helped hugely once it was always the same face.
Quick goodbye is the key. And remember, he's crying because he loves you, not because something is wrong. Hope tomorrow's easier.
Update a week later: quick goodbye and same key worker every morning. Today he cried for literally five seconds then got distracted by a toy bus. Progress!
Sounds like you're through the worst. Ours still has a cry on a Monday after a weekend with me. The nursery say that's totally normal.
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