Hello I am a new to the forum and I am looking for feedback. I am going back to work on Monday and I am wondering what to expect with my girls going into daycare. We have had a very 'loose' schedule for the past 8 weeks and I know it will be an adjustment for everyone. I suspect that they will be exhausted the first day or two - getting up earlier and being a new place with more people ( 5 kids total - including my girls -- 2 caregivers) but I am hoping that they will not freak out completely and not sleep at night. What has been your experience returning to work? How did your Twins handle it? Did it take long to fall into the new routine? Thanks. Sheila
I think as young as your girls are, they're not going to notice a big difference. I don't think they're that aware of their surroundings or routines yet at 8 wks. It's good that they're starting early because daycare will be their new routine. My twins stay home with a nanny but we started our older DS in daycare at 12 weeks and he did great.
do they have to go for the full day each day next week? Because i was off for 4 months, I had the luxury of starting daycare 2 weeks early so we eased them into the routine. I don't think it's critical, but a few short days might help all of you (you at work and them at daycare). congrats on making it through the first 2 months!
I went back to work when the twins were 12 weeks, and they went to daycare. We had a pretty good night time schedule, but daytime sleep at that point was still all over the place. They were in the infant room with 6 other babies of various ages. It has taken several months to get any sort of napping routine down at daycare, and even now, they sometimes only get one nap (not sure how they do it -- they would never last without major meltdowns at home with only one nap). Luckily, despite the crazy napping, they have always been able to go down well at night. I think it's just hard for them to sleep in a louder, brighter environment. Otherwise, daycare has worked out pretty well, but the kids have been sick a lot..... I guess that means they won't miss as much school later on......
Mine didn't adjust well to our first daycare. They'd only catnap....15 mins here, 20 mins there. It drove me insane! The older they got, it did get a little better. They never slept more than an hour there & some days would only get 1 nap. They'd be sooooo crabby when I got them home & we had lots of night wakings for a long time. We just switched to a smaller, quieter daycare & things are sooo much better. They still take shorter naps (45 mins or so) but occasionally have even napped 2 hr naps there! They get 2 naps/day & sleep great at home now. I think it just depends on your kids & your daycare. Mine only go part time, otherwise I'm sure they would've adjusted better...and faster. They can go a full week in between daycare days. I still dread daycare days, but they HAVE to go since I work nights & NEED to sleep ! Best of luck transitioning back to work...I went back when my guys were 9 weeks. I'm a bit anal obsessive about their schedule, so once I kinda got a little more laid back, daycare became easier. It's impossible for them to follow our schedule to a T with all the other babies there, but once I stressed that I have TWO I'm taking home, they did try to stick to ours a bit better. Be sure to express what you want & when; for example, if your babies are on a feeding schedule, try to really stress that you want it followed. Our first daycare wouldn't feed them bottles at the same time & I HATED that because they'd get all off. I was so happy when they started holding their own because then they stayed on schedule! I'm not trying to scare you. I've come to realize no daycare will ever be 'perfect' for my kids, so I just have to go with the flow . I honestly think it's harder for ME to adjust to them in daycare than them . And, like I said, it's SO much better in our new center, so hopefully your daycare will work out perfectly & you won't have any issues! GL!
I went back to work when the girls were 8 weeks old, but they didn't start daycare until 4 months. When they are that little they really don't have a schedule yet aside from maybe eat-sleep-play (or eat-play-sleep). I would talk with your daycare provider so you both can develop a schedule or routine for them. Oh and YES they will definitely be more tired! GL on monday!
thank you for all of the replies. I have been off for a total of 15 weeks already - 7 weeks of bedrest so I do have to go back full time now. I am sure that we will adjust, it will just take time.
QUOTE(twinmom51 @ Jun 25 2008, 10:01 PM) [snapback]846333[/snapback] thank you for all of the replies. I have been off for a total of 15 weeks already - 7 weeks of bedrest so I do have to go back full time now. I am sure that we will adjust, it will just take time. I have no advice of going back to work-but I wish you all the best! And I just had to comment I LOVE the way you spelled Meaghan's name!
