Parenting Tips for Your 31-32 Month Old Toddler
On the day your child starts in a new child care program:
- Bring all the forms, clothes, equipment, and food that the teachers request.
- Bring one of your child’s favorite things, such as a stuffed animal, a blanket, or a toy car.
- Arrive a few minutes early so you can talk with the caregiver, put away your child’s things, and sit with your child to watch what is going on.
With a calm face and hugs and kisses, say “goodbye” when it is time to leave. Tell her when you will return. Of course your child may cry, or scream, or kick, or retreat to a corner with her thumb in her mouth. She may like this place, but she wants you with her and needs to say so. Even though it is very hard, keep walking.
Remember that you trust the teacher and trust your child. It may help to call the teacher in an hour to learn how your child is doing. When you pick up your child, greet her with warmth and words that show you know it was hard for her. Tell her that you are proud that she made it through the day. Don’t be surprised if she is both glad to see you and mad that you left her.
Learning how to say “goodbye” to people we love is difficult. Most of us struggle with this all our lives. This may be your child’s first experience in saying “goodbye” to you on a daily basis, and it will take time for you both to learn how to do this easily.
