My 2 1/2 year old toddler comes back cranky from day care?

Question

He goes only 3 days a week because I'd like him to get out of the house and interact and learn more from teachers and other kids. But when he comes home, he's cranky, whines, is very irritable and cries. He didn't go to day care for about 3 weeks and he was fine at home. But I started him again and I'm sorta noticing him becoming cranky again? Is that normal? any suggestions? I'm confused!!

Answer 1

It's normal.  Maybe he isn't napping as long in day care as he would be at home.  It can get very loud and busy at day care and he might just be overstimulated.  He just hasn't adjusted to the new environment yet.  If he absolutely doesn't have to go, maybe just take him once a week for a while, then increase it when it seems like he's enjoying it.

Answer 2

its probably normal, its like when i take my dogs to day camp, they come home and are snotty.  its because they get over stimulated, and theyre tired.  

Answer 3

Try engaging the day care staff on this issue. Ask them what the routine is: What time does he sleep when he's there? For how long? Does he eat? How well? What kind of activities do they do and when?

It's most likely that he's over tired when he gets home so ask them to ensure he gets enough rest and quiet time during the day. You could also help them by suggesting some tried and tested techniques for settling him down.

For more clues try and listen carefully to the things your son says about his time at day care - it won't be much and it may not be very coherent but toddlers can be quite articulate if you know how to listen.

If that doesn't work, try a different day care or maybe cut down to one or two days for a while (if that's an option).

Good luck.

Answer 4

Hmm, I don't know if you are confused or just need some support and encouragement to make the right decision....

You said your answer when you said " He didn't go to daycare for about 3 weeks and he was fine at home. "  He is a baby, 2 and a half is very young and he needs his mum, not other kids and definitely not teachers.  You were given this precious child to love and nurture, you are his mother because you are the perfect person chosen for this little boy.... Not a teacher, or other children.  Keep him close to you during the day, sing to him, read to him, kiss him, cuddle him and just chat to him like he is your best buddy in the whole wide world.

Don't give your power and authority and your destiny over to a daycare - who are paid to look after your child but not LOVE him...

Answer 5

He's tired, something happens at day care, he doesn't like being away from you?

Answer 6

if he wakes up early thts probably y

Answer 7

From a daycare provider's perspective, routine is hard on the little ones at first, but it really is the best for them.  Some things to think about is definately talk to his teachers to see how his day goes and let them know how he is at home.  It could be their day is busy and exciting towards the time he leaves and he might have trouble transitioning back to home where it's less crazy busy and all.  Then they could start having him slow down some, playing more quiet toys/games before you pick him up.  I would be sure to talk to them.

Depending on your finances and the daycares hours, if you could go 5 days/week even if shorter days, that might be better for him than 3 longer days.  That routine of knowing what to expect everyday might be helpful to him.  If it's a larger daycare, you may think about a licensed home daycare that can only have 6-8 children.  He'll have exposure to other kids and adults, but maybe a smaller setting would be good for him.  

And if it's just been a short time since he started daycare, yes, it can be just normal for him to be out of sorts at home until he adjusts.  Home is his haven where he can safely express how he's feeling.  And getting to know new people and rules can be stressful on little peoples.

Answer 8

You want him to interact with good kids. That's not what you get at daycare. Those kids are wild animals! And they also have a hard time with sharing! I think you should cut down his visits there to only one day a week and try to find out from him what's going on. Keep asking him if it's a kid at daycare or if someone is mean to him, I'm sure he will let you know somehow. Find a way to get the answers you need, but do not ask the people working there since it could also be them (they most likely won't tell you).

Answer 9

Oh day care is horrible !! get him a nanny or close teen that you trust ... its much better for your child..

Answer 10

He probably is playing a lot and running around with the other kids. Hes most likely just tired and probably doesnt take a nap when he's there. Its normal. They are just so busy playing when they get home they are tired.

Answer 11

He is probably picking up behaviors from other kids at day care. When I went to a day care to enroll my baby brother (well I went with my parents) all of the kids there seemed like brats and some of the kids I knew werent brats but there they were. My parents noticed too so we took him to another one. Try not to take him to daycare but if you need to, take him to a different one

Answer 12

He is picking up the other kids behaviors. Kids in day care are like demon spawn in alot of places. If you don't need it, I say keep him home as long as you can. Not all children need day care to help them develope.

Answer 13

Lots of kids tend to experience this after getting home from day care, the reason being that they are so filled with activities and other kids to play with. You might want to get him some toys familiar to those of the day care since these toys are usually educational then end up being more fun than the usual toys. Here is a link where you can find a whole bunch of educational toys. There are some than even you can play with them.

Answer 14

set him down for a nap.

Answer 15

Always look to see if there are any unusual marks on his body.

Sometimes other kids bite each other at that age.   You could always call or make an appointment with his day care provider.  To see if there is anything they notice about his behavior.  

Answer 16

maybe there are kids there being mean to him? i would talk to whoever takes care of him to make sure he isn't being picked on or something.