I know it's new but...

[Mamma_Mia]

I have a new 2yr & 9month old boy. He's been in daycare with me for 6 days now and with others since he was 10mos old. His mom removed him from his last provider because she didn't agree with her practices as she learned to find out DCP used to leve the kids in the yard almost all day (no matter the weather) and she would be indoors reading. Dcb would get hurt very often in the summer as he was the yongest of the bunch....all others were school aged (7/8 year olds) which means during the school year he was alone all day.

So when we're home all he does is ask to go to the park. Are we going yet? when are we going? aren't we going to go? on and on and on........We go to the park and he sits in a corner and cries to go home. We get home and he asks if we're going out!!!

I know this is new for him to adjust to me but really?!

When I mentioned to his dad that he had a rough time at the park dad was shocked. He said that they can't keep him still or in one place when they go. I also told dad that he napped his full 2hrs and again shock....but that one I expected. He "doesn't" nap when dad/mom try to make him at home. Other than the sulkyness he eats great and naps well and is doing great w/ potty training...he tells me when!

Anyways....we go to the park with 5-6 other little boys his age. If I cuddle him he goes into "ugly cry". He's used to this...should I give it more time or tough love of "that's enough, go play"?

[apples and bananas]

Hmmm.... i find it odd that a provider left children outside and the provider inside reading... I also find it odd that the parents knows this.

Did you have a chance to reference the kids through the old provider? Mom might be assuming... or telling stories.

Just a thought... maybe the kid was the issue and not the provider and that's why you're having issues.

Regardless... kids are kids... I would just continue with your routine and give him time to fall into place.

[playfelt]

The child may have no idea what to do at the park in the sense last year he learned to hide and try to stay clear of the big kids. With his parents he likely is played with one on one - catching him on the slide, chasing him around, playing hide and seek, etc. You may actually have to "teach" the child what to do at the park.

It also sounds like he has no idea how to play since a room full of toys is also foreign to him. Again you may have to walk him through the process of what toys can do, how to ask a friend to play, how to share and join in.

[kidlove]

I am a tough lover! for the most part. her will come around once he gets the new routine. kindof sounds like he is used to doing things a certain way, like maybe he is surprised once you get to the park because it's not where he thought you were going? was he in this providers back yard? or was he going to a dif park? maybe it had dif toys a slides and he's not sure what to do, or maybe he misse his old "buds" being older than him, maybe they helped lead him through everything, now he is on his own and "lost". I would just give him time, especially if he is good in every other area...he juts needs to adjust. can understand you concern though, its not easy trying to get used to a New Child. I would just give him time!

[Momof4]

Time and patience sound like the key for this child. I just accepted a 2.5 year old child who was at a daycare centre and it has taken 2 months to undo whatever the heck they did to him there! But his parents were horrified at the way he cried when they took him there in the morning and some other things that I won't mention and I've had him with me for 2 months and he is an entirely different boy. The parents love me so much for helping them get their happy boy back. I wonder if you are in the same situation?

I would walk him through your days and maybe use the shadowing technique with him following you or one of the older children around alternately to learn about daycare life and routines. I believe that my routine of breakfast, busy mornings (inside or outside), lunch, nap, freeplay til pickup becomes ingrained into the children.

I had one little boy here for 3 1/2 years who never napped one single day for his parents but napped for 2 hours here every single day. I could cite 100 other examples of the differences between children at home and at my daycare. But it all boils down to this. Our daily routines are important and healthy for the children.