Preparing for the First Day of Daycare

You know those back-to-school jitters you would get the night before school started?  How you would stay up all night simply because you had too much nervous energy to sleep?  Yeah, I have that going on tonight.  Thing is, it isn't me going to school!

That's right, my little man and baby girl start their first day of daycare tomorrow and I am a basket case.  I have read through the Parent Handbook twice, packed their diaper bag, and even laid out their clothes for the morning.  I'm so excited for them, especially Sammy - he's going to get to play with kids his own age, play with things we don't have here at home, and get to go outside to play on their playground.  Kaya I know will be in good hands as well: they have very strict guidelines for infant sleep, feeding, and other regulations surrounding care for babies.

So now that I have everything set up for them and I'm still going crazy, I figured I would write a post helping other mom's making the transition from stay-at-home mom to working mom.

First off, here's a checklist of things you'll need to send:

• Diapers
• Wipes
• Extra set of clothes (everything: extra outfit, socks, underwear for the bigger kids, etc.)
• Feeding supplies
• Now with this one, our daycare offers a specific formula for babies that they will provide, but if your baby is on a different formula than you will need to prepare bottles ahead of time for them to place in the fridge.
• If baby has started solids, send jars of baby food or cereal for that day with their formula.
• For breastfed babies, check with your center.  Many allow mothers to come to the daycare to breastfeed.  If that isn't possible, be sure to send bottles labeled with your baby's name and the date.
• For toddlers, many daycare centers will provide their meals and snacks and no other food will be necessary to send with them.

Be sure to label extra clothes and whatnot with your child's name to make sure there isn't any mix-ups.  

When dropping your little one(s) off for their first day, be sure to arrive a little bit early.  That way you can help get them used to the idea instead of just handing them off and leaving.  This is the part I am most nervous about - Sammy-man has been with me every day of his life, except for the two days I was in the hospital after having Kaya.  I expect tears and clinging, but I'm bringing Matt with to help pry me off of him.  Really though, I think he'll do fine, and I will try my best to save my tears for after I leave.  

I'll write some more in the morning after I get back home to let you all know how it went!  

Wish me luck!