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DS2 started daycare last week after staying home with my parents previously. He is having a hard time adjusting to the daycare environment, which surprises us. He is usually the type who will forget about us once he hits the playground.

He cries hysterically when I drop him off and pick him up as if he is physically hurt.

As recommended by most books, I don�t give in to his crying. I tell him I love him and leave, but I want to cry with him

At home, I keep reminding him that we will pick him from daycare once we get off of work. He is also acting extra clingy as I expect.

Last night, DH, DS, and I were all in a room. I have to go to another room to get something. DS dragged to back to the room, told me to sit, and locked the room door. It breaks my heart that he thought I would leave him.

I know it will take some time for him to get used to the new environment.

Words of advice/encouragement?

Awwwww ... no real words of advice but BIG HUGS for you. He will adjust, it just takes time, but boy does it break our hearts when we are in the middle of it all.

Big hugs Hello Baby!! My DS at 2.5 was the walkaway without a backward glance kid, with me teary in the hallway, but then he would cry about absolutely nothing after getting home. Its an adjustment for all of them. Our preschool told all the parents that it takes about 6 weeks to go from the fear and the worries about being left to being certain and comfortable but that was a short day for a couple of days a week.

I don't know that DS was saying he thought you might leave - he might have also been trying to control the setting or you - you made me change what I liked and now I will do that to you. My DS also had the grands watch him, so some of it also might be the transition from the focus of attention to the crowd - especially because grands are closer to parents than to a nanny - even the most loving.

Whatever the reason, stick it out, it will be okay, and likely he won't even remember disliking it.

DeHe

Hugs, HB!

Have you tried reading The Kissing Hand to DS2? That helped with both my DC, although they may have been a little bit older. http://www.amazon.com/Kissing-Hand-..._1?ie=UTF8&qid=1298914827&sr=8-1

Sending good thoughts your way!