Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Transitioning

Starting next week, Tree Faerie will begin transitioning to the toddler room at daycare. The transition period lasts 4 weeks. During the first week, one of the infant room teachers will take her to the toddler room for about 15 minutes in the morning and in the afternoon. On Week 2, one of the toddler room teachers will come get Tree Faerie and take her to the toddler room for about 30 minutes in the morning and afternoon. Tree Faerie will spend an hour in the morning and afternoon on Week 3. The last week of transitioning, Tree Faerie will go to the toddler room in the morning and stay through the morning nap, then go back to the infant room.

This morning I talked to the head teacher of the toddler room she'll be moving into. The woman was very nice and personable. I was really nervous about the transition and she was able to ease my nervousness quite a bit. The toddlers only take one nap a day around mid-day, and they don't give the toddlers bottles at all, only sippy-cups. They are given regular whole milk or juice during the two snack-times and lunch. This means I won't have to pump anymore starting the first week of January. While I'm kind of happy about it, I'm also kind of sad. My baby is growing up!

So, do any of you have words of wisdom to help me through this transition? I'm sure Tree Faerie will be fine with it. I'm the one who has a problem with change. If you would prefer, you can email me at asumers at gmail dot com.

8 comments:

Heather said...

Try not to be too nervous - kids pick up on that - and know that she is in good hands.

Monnik said...

Wow - a toddler already! She still seems to teeny to me - who of course hasn't met her and only thinks of her as the baby in the top left corner of your blog. :)

She'll do fine - you'll notice the change more than she does.

For me the hardest transition was the nap one. My youngest just went away from naps (she's 4) and she really struggles without one. I remember going from two naps to one was a tough transition too.

Coal Miner's Granddaughter said...

I like that they're transitioning her slowly over the month and not just dumping her in there all at once. That should make you feel really well.

I'm probably not the best person to give advice on this. Being a SAHM, when there's a new transition period, something new is about to happen, it doesn't bother me because I'm usually completely over the new stuff and ready for something different and unusual. I've never had a problem leaving the kids for a week vacation (done only twice!) and even though I'll miss their sweet baby years, I'm also excited and eager to see what kind of adults they're going to be!

Yeah, I'm weird that way...

Unknown said...

heather (3boysandme) - I really try my best to control it, which is part of the reason I try to prepare for things way in advance... :) The more time I have, the easier it is not to be nervous when the time comes. Of course I'm good in a crisis, too... I don't lose it until AFTER it's all done.

monnik - I think she's awfully small, too, especially after visiting the classroom yesterday. In the infant room, she's one of the 'big' kids, but she just seems so much smaller than the kids in the toddler room.

heather (coalminersgd) - I'm looking forward to seeing what kind of adult she's going to be, too. I just want to enjoy the baby stage for just a little longer, though.

Unknown said...

I'm a baby-hanger-on-er. I cringe at every new stage for the first few years, then I get better. It's so nice that they are transitioning her...that'll help her and subsequently, you. Good luck Mommy!!

Anonymous said...

Delurking to let you know that it definitely will be harder on you than her. I have a 5 year old and a 2 year old. Sounds like they're very sensitive about the transition period. Our daycare only spreads it over a week or so.
Oh, and you can blame any anxiety on hormones when you stop pumping;) I totally was not prepared for the roller coaster hormone ride...and the discomfort...after stopping.
Good luck!

Unknown said...

Mommycosm, I'm so not looking forward to the roller-coaster ride... Dreading it would be a better word, I think.

Anonymous said...

Hi, you mentioned you won't have to pump anymore...

I think you still should, they can't deny your baby of breast milk. I think they can still give it to your little one in a sippy. Don't let a transition to the toddler room decide if your baby drinks breast milk. There is nothing wrong with that and they can't say no; you are the mother. Continue pumping until you really want to stop, but don't let "the transition" be the cause...