Transition :( VENT

[5 Little Monkeys]

Oh I feel for ya!! Last Fall I transitioned a new boy who cried every day, all day for 2 weeks straight. It has been the only time I have seriously considered terming. It is very exhausting to listen to a child cry and not be able to do anything to stop it. I had experienced this one other time but it was when I worked in a centre and that boy cried for months all day!! It was easier though because us staff members would take turns in the room with him so we wouldn't have to listen to it all day.

With my boy last Fall, I continued on with our day as normal. He was a trooper and did participate in some art and sensory activities but cried the whole time. He cried during lunch, outside time, free play time, art time etc. He napped a little bit but usually cried the whole time. If it got to be too loud or too out of control or I just couldn't handle it anymore, I would place him in his playpen and tell him that when he calmed down he could play with us again. The playpen would settle him a bit because he got to have his soother and blankie. He would calm down enough that I would allow him back out. He was allowed to sit on my lap with me and play if he was just whimpering but as soon as he started to cry loudly off he went. I played beside him, with him, encouraged the other kids to play with us, brought out new toys, rocked him a bit here and there to comfort him but wasn't in his face about it. Finally the 3rd monday came and I was prepared for another horrible day but he came in, waved bye to dad and has been fantastic ever since!!! It is amazing to see him now and to think back and realize how close I was to terming him.

Oh and I also am not a huge drinker but wine was my friend those two weeks.......LOL