In a dilemma about childcare

[cherrygal]

toddles:

Initially, I would say go for the \"trusted nanny\" option. But after reading cherrygal's post, yes she does have a point. Who is your trusted nanny? A long time neighbour? Personally I thought a nanny would be preferable cos after all it's more one-to-one attention, which I believe they kinda need at that age (before 2 yrs? 2.5 yrs?). Also, much less likely to fall sick. Believe that most cc kids fall sick abt one week every month?

I beg to differ. My nanny had her own kids (5yo and 8yo) with her, as well as a maid. She also wanted to surf the web etc. Complained all the time to me that my son was needy... whaddya expect from a 4mth old? If he slept the whole day, I should be worried. So I don't believe nannies will give their utmost attention 1-to-1 to your child, even if they promised to do so. The older aunties with no maids will end up cooking dinner for the whole family while your child is watching TV or rolling around in the walker.

Not really true about falling sick all the time too... touch wood. Give them nutritious food and supplements and make sure they keep their hands clean. So far it's been ok... You can lessen the impact by choosing a non-airconditioned CCC with lesser kids.

[decollette]

Hi everyone, its been awhile since i last visited this site, really heartening to see the helpful posts here.


Hi Carolina, in fact my boy is attending his first day at the new cc today which i picked months ago. Like you, i had visited all the ccs in my vicinity before deciding on this one. I like the environment, smaller ratio as well as warm teachers. I eventually did not choose putting him with the nanny, as she had another child to care for, and the child is still really young. And like what cherrygal mentioned, i do not think he will be stimulated enough being at the nanny's.

Also, Im glad i made the right move on enrolling him at once weekly sessions at gymboree. Since then, i can tell he enjoyed the activities and interaction with those his age. He started to show he enjoyed being in the company of others. And though it was a parent accompanied program, he will be busy in his newfound independence to even notice my presence. So this helped to prepare him for the CC.

And yes Carolina, the screaming and tears is just part of parenting and separation anxiety, with time and consistency i am sure to conquer it. So this time, i will not chicken out hahaa. Im also grateful for the teachers being supportive and their advice on helping me to overcome it. My son also bonded with one teacher so things are looking good. Shall just be consistent and quick with the goodbyes. He has already learnt to wave goodbye to me when my mum comes to babysit. And at 22 months, he understands when i tell him i will leave him but will come back.

I think its right to say that different kids are ready for preschool at different ages, and its our job as parents to ascertain when. He was clearly not ready at 18 mths, and the previous cc was a misfit. Im really glad how things turned out.. that i chose not to settle and continue hunting for a more suited cc. That i enrolled him at gymboree once weekly to prepare him.

I can truly say that this time, both of us are ready. He's ready to find and develop his independence and confidence mingling with others, and I'm ready to let go for him to learn and have the experience. :))

[toddles]

cherrygal:

toddles:

Initially, I would say go for the \"trusted nanny\" option. But after reading cherrygal's post, yes she does have a point. Who is your trusted nanny? A long time neighbour? Personally I thought a nanny would be preferable cos after all it's more one-to-one attention, which I believe they kinda need at that age (before 2 yrs? 2.5 yrs?). Also, much less likely to fall sick. Believe that most cc kids fall sick abt one week every month?

I beg to differ. My nanny had her own kids (5yo and 8yo) with her, as well as a maid. She also wanted to surf the web etc. Complained all the time to me that my son was needy... whaddya expect from a 4mth old? If he slept the whole day, I should be worried. So I don't believe nannies will give their utmost attention 1-to-1 to your child, even if they promised to do so. The older aunties with no maids will end up cooking dinner for the whole family while your child is watching TV or rolling around in the walker.

Not really true about falling sick all the time too... touch wood. Give them nutritious food and supplements and make sure they keep their hands clean. So far it's been ok... You can lessen the impact by choosing a non-airconditioned CCC with lesser kids.

Yah I guess there are many types of nanny. I know of a nanny, whose kids are grown up (post secondary sch) and she's a really nice, energetic lady. Speaks decent english and mandarin. Sometimes her kids help to play with the child too. But such nannies are rare.

[Carolina]

decollette:

Hi everyone, its been awhile since i last visited this site, really heartening to see the helpful posts here.


Hi Carolina, in fact my boy is attending his first day at the new cc today which i picked months ago. Like you, i had visited all the ccs in my vicinity before deciding on this one. I like the environment, smaller ratio as well as warm teachers. I eventually did not choose putting him with the nanny, as she had another child to care for, and the child is still really young. And like what cherrygal mentioned, i do not think he will be stimulated enough being at the nanny's.

Also, Im glad i made the right move on enrolling him at once weekly sessions at gymboree. Since then, i can tell he enjoyed the activities and interaction with those his age. He started to show he enjoyed being in the company of others. And though it was a parent accompanied program, he will be busy in his newfound independence to even notice my presence. So this helped to prepare him for the CC.

And yes Carolina, the screaming and tears is just part of parenting and separation anxiety, with time and consistency i am sure to conquer it. So this time, i will not chicken out hahaa. Im also grateful for the teachers being supportive and their advice on helping me to overcome it. My son also bonded with one teacher so things are looking good. Shall just be consistent and quick with the goodbyes. He has already learnt to wave goodbye to me when my mum comes to babysit. And at 22 months, he understands when i tell him i will leave him but will come back.

I think its right to say that different kids are ready for preschool at different ages, and its our job as parents to ascertain when. He was clearly not ready at 18 mths, and the previous cc was a misfit. Im really glad how things turned out.. that i chose not to settle and continue hunting for a more suited cc. That i enrolled him at gymboree once weekly to prepare him.

I can truly say that this time, both of us are ready. He's ready to find and develop his independence and confidence mingling with others, and I'm ready to let go for him to learn and have the experience. :))

Hihi,

Good to hear that things are turning out well for you!!

My boy has finally moved from telling me he doesn't want to go to school everyday last year to now always stopping his nonsense/tantrums at home immediately when I tell him that naughty boys don't get to go to school. LOL~ Apparently, he loves his teachers this year...

[decollette]

Carolina:

decollette:

Hi everyone, its been awhile since i last visited this site, really heartening to see the helpful posts here.


Hi Carolina, in fact my boy is attending his first day at the new cc today which i picked months ago. Like you, i had visited all the ccs in my vicinity before deciding on this one. I like the environment, smaller ratio as well as warm teachers. I eventually did not choose putting him with the nanny, as she had another child to care for, and the child is still really young. And like what cherrygal mentioned, i do not think he will be stimulated enough being at the nanny's.

Also, Im glad i made the right move on enrolling him at once weekly sessions at gymboree. Since then, i can tell he enjoyed the activities and interaction with those his age. He started to show he enjoyed being in the company of others. And though it was a parent accompanied program, he will be busy in his newfound independence to even notice my presence. So this helped to prepare him for the CC.

And yes Carolina, the screaming and tears is just part of parenting and separation anxiety, with time and consistency i am sure to conquer it. So this time, i will not chicken out hahaa. Im also grateful for the teachers being supportive and their advice on helping me to overcome it. My son also bonded with one teacher so things are looking good. Shall just be consistent and quick with the goodbyes. He has already learnt to wave goodbye to me when my mum comes to babysit. And at 22 months, he understands when i tell him i will leave him but will come back.

I think its right to say that different kids are ready for preschool at different ages, and its our job as parents to ascertain when. He was clearly not ready at 18 mths, and the previous cc was a misfit. Im really glad how things turned out.. that i chose not to settle and continue hunting for a more suited cc. That i enrolled him at gymboree once weekly to prepare him.

I can truly say that this time, both of us are ready. He's ready to find and develop his independence and confidence mingling with others, and I'm ready to let go for him to learn and have the experience. :))

Hihi,

Good to hear that things are turning out well for you!!

My boy has finally moved from telling me he doesn't want to go to school everyday last year to now always stopping his nonsense/tantrums at home immediately when I tell him that naughty boys don't get to go to school. LOL~ Apparently, he loves his teachers this year...

I know of someone who said the exact same thing to his boy! hahah thats a good thing!

Its amazing how time flies! Barely a month into half day childcare and my boy has overcome his separation anxiety. Over the weekend, he even asks to go to school by carrying his bag and trying to wear his shoes lol.. Today was monday, Im thinking he might have the blues and whine abit.. but no..he was delighted and even jumped for joy (i think) when entering the school. No tears no fuss. I guess my worries were unfounded. Then again i think its a gd school as the kids look happy and well-adjusted.

BUt.. he seems to have become a fussy eater so i need some help/advise?
He wouldn't feed himself at childcare though he is capable of doing it (he does feed himself at times at home) so the teacher has to feed him and even so he only manages a few mouthfuls. He doesn't take breakfast much, just a few nibbles of bread and his fm when he wakes in the morning, thats all.
Then i noticed at home he starts to be fussy.. only things he really likes he will have it. Otherwise, he even spits it back into the bowl which really angers me! So far, he's even done this one time at childcare. (teacher feedback to me) In time, he will attend full day childcare, and im so afraid his little intake of food will be bad for him. He used to be a big and fast eater, so i do not know why is he acting this way..
Any input or suggestions on what i can do?

[cherrygal]

Find out the menu of the childcare centre. How is it different from what you feed him normally? Could it be the textures or the tastes?


What time does he have his snack? If he gets a snack too late, he may have no appetite left for dinner.

You also mentioned that he’s ok with things he really likes. So why don’t you just give him what he likes with the other food you are trying to introduce? I have given in to putting the occasional pork floss or seaweed snacks together with the main meals. It’s ok as long as they eat the main meals.

Sometimes, this refusal of food is just a short phase or he could be unwell.

My gal was opposite. She used to only want porridge but after attending childcare, her appetite has improved and she is willing to take in adult food without the need to blend. She has also learnt to feed herself there.

[Carolina]

My problem was the opposite! I had feeding problems with my boy wayyyyyyyyyyyy before he started childcare, especially when it came to the vegetables. However, his teachers in school were shocked when we told them how difficult it was to get him to eat at home, as they told us that he had no feeding problems at school, will self-feed, ate everything (vegetables included) and will sometimes even asked for 2nd helpings!


Now that he's almost 3 & 1/2 years old and coming to the end of N1, he's improved a lot at home in terms of the feeding issues.

However, my younger girl, who used to have ZERO feeding problems, has started with her nonsense since a while back...

Hence, hubby & I are starting to think that it's a phase...

What I read though, is not to worry too much & just leave them be if they refuse to eat. The theory is that kids will not let themselves go hungry to the extent of harming their own health. It's simply a natural reaction to their body needs (e.g. only eat plain rice cos they need the energy, or only eating meat or fruits cos they need extra proteins or certain minerals). I personally am not able to buy into that completely, given that my boy is thin as a beanpole, but it did help me to relax a bit.

In fact, I go the opposite way - I tell my boy that if he doesn't want to eat properly, he does not have the privilege of sitting at the dining table & eat with us and I'll send him off without the rest of his dinner + bedtime milk. Amazingly, that worked with him & now I have almost zero eating problems with him. Maybe it's his stubborn nature... =P

decollette:

Carolina:

[quote=\"decollette\"]Hi everyone, its been awhile since i last visited this site, really heartening to see the helpful posts here.

Hi Carolina, in fact my boy is attending his first day at the new cc today which i picked months ago. Like you, i had visited all the ccs in my vicinity before deciding on this one. I like the environment, smaller ratio as well as warm teachers. I eventually did not choose putting him with the nanny, as she had another child to care for, and the child is still really young. And like what cherrygal mentioned, i do not think he will be stimulated enough being at the nanny's.

Also, Im glad i made the right move on enrolling him at once weekly sessions at gymboree. Since then, i can tell he enjoyed the activities and interaction with those his age. He started to show he enjoyed being in the company of others. And though it was a parent accompanied program, he will be busy in his newfound independence to even notice my presence. So this helped to prepare him for the CC.

And yes Carolina, the screaming and tears is just part of parenting and separation anxiety, with time and consistency i am sure to conquer it. So this time, i will not chicken out hahaa. Im also grateful for the teachers being supportive and their advice on helping me to overcome it. My son also bonded with one teacher so things are looking good. Shall just be consistent and quick with the goodbyes. He has already learnt to wave goodbye to me when my mum comes to babysit. And at 22 months, he understands when i tell him i will leave him but will come back.

I think its right to say that different kids are ready for preschool at different ages, and its our job as parents to ascertain when. He was clearly not ready at 18 mths, and the previous cc was a misfit. Im really glad how things turned out.. that i chose not to settle and continue hunting for a more suited cc. That i enrolled him at gymboree once weekly to prepare him.

I can truly say that this time, both of us are ready. He's ready to find and develop his independence and confidence mingling with others, and I'm ready to let go for him to learn and have the experience. :))

Hihi,

Good to hear that things are turning out well for you!!

My boy has finally moved from telling me he doesn't want to go to school everyday last year to now always stopping his nonsense/tantrums at home immediately when I tell him that naughty boys don't get to go to school. LOL~ Apparently, he loves his teachers this year...

I know of someone who said the exact same thing to his boy! hahah thats a good thing!

Its amazing how time flies! Barely a month into half day childcare and my boy has overcome his separation anxiety. Over the weekend, he even asks to go to school by carrying his bag and trying to wear his shoes lol.. Today was monday, Im thinking he might have the blues and whine abit.. but no..he was delighted and even jumped for joy (i think) when entering the school. No tears no fuss. I guess my worries were unfounded. Then again i think its a gd school as the kids look happy and well-adjusted.

BUt.. he seems to have become a fussy eater so i need some help/advise?
He wouldn't feed himself at childcare though he is capable of doing it (he does feed himself at times at home) so the teacher has to feed him and even so he only manages a few mouthfuls. He doesn't take breakfast much, just a few nibbles of bread and his fm when he wakes in the morning, thats all.
Then i noticed at home he starts to be fussy.. only things he really likes he will have it. Otherwise, he even spits it back into the bowl which really angers me! So far, he's even done this one time at childcare. (teacher feedback to me) In time, he will attend full day childcare, and im so afraid his little intake of food will be bad for him. He used to be a big and fast eater, so i do not know why is he acting this way..
Any input or suggestions on what i can do?[/quote]