How Parents can reduce stress on Child Care Days

Family daycare is a whole new experience for your child and for you as well if it is your first child who is going to enrol in family daycare.

Most people talk about the child stress which children face during child care days. No one talks about the anxiety and stress which parents face when they leave their child in family daycare.

Parental stress is real and most people suffer from acute anxiety when their children start family daycare for the first time.

Strategies to reduce stress for parents on child care days;

Following are the strategies to reduce stress for parents on child care days;

• Don’t rush
• Keep yourself busy
• Communication with educator
• Shorter sessions
• Spend special time with your child when he is back
• Good Sleep

Don’t rush 

Morning time can be very stressful for you and your child during child care days. Try to not rush in the morning and keep yourself calm. Prepare and pack lunch in the night before. Pack  child’s comforter such as favourite toy or blanket , spare clothes, sun smart hat,water bottle, nappies, wipes etc in your child’s bag in the night.

Keep yourself busy

 Mothers usually feel stress when their children are away from them. Studies suggest that mothers can manage this separation anxiety by keeping themselves busy. For example, if you like reading books, start reading a book when your child is away from you. You can also keep yourself busy in the household. You can watch a movie or a TV show to reduce your anxiety.

Communication with the educator

Healthy and friendly relationship of the educator with you and your child is very important.

Family Day Care educators will meet parents and child through tour of day care before start of care.

Before enrolling your child, share information about your child, any concerns, any medical conditions, doubts or anxieties you may have in regard to your child at the day care.

Our educators make sure that orientation and settling in period respects the needs of both families and children.

Our educators communicate with families time to time, of how their child is settling into care during the orientation phase.

Shorter sessions 

If your child can commence care for a few shorter sessions before starting their required bookings, this will allow child and parents to gradually adjust to their new routine

Spend special time with your child

To deal with parental stress, you should spend more time with your child when he is back from family daycare.

You can engage in refreshing and pleasant activities with your children, for example cooking, baking, outdoor activities etc. It helps to reduce stress when you spend quality time with your children.

Sleep

Adjust the bedtime routine to ensure that you and your children are getting enough rest.

A tired child is less likely to be happy or participate in Family Day care activities. If you or your children did not get enough sleep, mornings can be stressful to get everyone out door on time.