am I bad to feel this way about day care?

My DD has been attending day care for a couple of months now. She was great at first and loved it. Attended two days a week, she wanted to go every day so I increased it to 3 days a week. Now she's started crying when I leave. It's hard. I don't want to leave her when she's like this. She was going fine and then stopped sleeping at day care. By the time I pick her up, she is so tired, bags under her eyes and just a totally different little girl until her bedtime at 7pm. It worried me so much that I have now decreased her days back to two per week.

Is it normal for them to pick up cheeky habits from day care and other kids? It's ok, I love her having the social interaction but I am feeling a little detached from her lately because she's been quite naughty. She's 3. We also have a 1 year old. When she's not at day care, I take her out and spend some great quality time with her. She is fine when she's home with me for a couple of days but then turns into a bit of a naughty girl when she goes back to day care.

I'm sort of torn in a way. She doesn't need to go because I don't work. I just work from home a little bit. I'm a SAHM actually. I just wanted her to mix with other kids more and get into that routine before she starts pre-prep next year. Am I wrong to feel detached do you think? I miss her when she's not with me. I go to pick her up and it makes me feel a bit weird that someone else is looking after my little girl and I'm not there. Sometimes I feel like I am being too protective but it's not like I don't trust her teachers, they're brilliant and I went to many day care centres before choosing this one.

I dunno, they grow up so quickly and I do miss her.

Thanks for listening!

lol hun u should have read my FB status last night!! DD1 turns into monster child after kinder (she's been attending day car since she was 18months old 1 day per week)
YES they do pick up on naughty habits from other children, yes they are incridebly tired and overstimulated after a day in care, and theyre also going through thir own developmental changes which includes how to push boundries!
Do whatever you feel comfortable with and dont feel bad for enjoying a day away from her :)

I can't tell you if how you feel is bad or wrong. But i can tell you a couple of things. My 3 year old has never been a day of care in her life and she has been quite naughty lately too. I think it's the age?!

If you feel like you are doing the wrong thing and you have a choice, then i would seriously consider your options. Our babies are only babies for so long and it would be terrible to get a few years down the track and regret your decisions. I don't think keeping her with you for another year is being overprotective at all. I don't think it has anything to do with not trusting the careers, i think it is a very personal decision that only you can make. (and one you should make without guilt. ;) )

Childcare is a great thing and i am often envious of people who have their kids in care. I don't have the choice even if i wanted to. But having said that, it's not for everyone, and not everyone has the luxury. The fact is your little one can get the socialisation with other kids in many other ways. You can go to a playgroup together, do swimming, dancing, music, soccer, the possibilities are endless. (except if you live where i do. :p)

Best of luck with your decision.

thanks everyone for listening.

:hug: Have you tried bringing bed time forward on day-care days? It can be quite tiring for them and being tired is usually a trigger for difficult behaviour. How about a snack on the way home? Low blood sugar can have a negative impact on behaviour so an apple or banana can rescue the situation sometimes.

:hug: I'd tell you it gets better but TBH 5 & 6 year old tantrums are just as annoying and frustrating. I comfort myself with the thought that at least they can't drive yet or stay out all night.

I like your post Onyx. You made me laugh at the 5 and 6 year old tantrum thing.

i think its totally normal for kids to not only pick up bad behaviour from daycare, but also pick up lots of other little things (like colds! grrrr) i also agree about the age, she seems to be at the age where 'trouble' starts Lol. I've talked a lot of friends who have little girls around that age (including me) and the attitude they have!! :o my goodness.

i also agree with Onynx about pushing bedtime forward on those days. DS is at school mon-fri, and DD is at preschool on thurs & fridays, and on those days it tends to be early bedtimes, because they are just exhausted and grumpy....see if that helps?