Your baby has grown, your Maternity Leave is up, and now it’s time to go back to work or study. Are you ready? And is your family ready?
After I saw a close friend experience separation anxiety resuming work and leaving her child to the care of others, I saw this as a needful article.
Family life can get more complicated with parents working or studying. There are care arrangements to organise, logistics to plan, and conflicting emotions to process.
So what can help ease the transition for both you and your child?
Here are some tips;
Recognize and work on your emotions
You’re likely to experience a range of emotions, such as guilt at leaving your child in someone else’s care, and worry about how your child will manage without you. But you may also feel excited about the possibilities of having time away from your child, and freedom to explore a new way of being a person and a parent.
You should know that all of these emotions are normal and valuable, you can make the most of the opportunities, and manage the guilt and worry more easily.
Support your child
 If your child has largely been at home with you, beginning childcare can be a big change. Depending on your child’s temperament, it’s common for them to express some separation anxiety, which may include crying when you leave, clinging onto you, and not wanting you to go.
At drop off, it often helps to get your child settled into an activity, explain that you’re leaving but you’ll be back, and then leave without too much delay. You can always call to find out how your child is going a little later.
Staff at the centre or at home even your caring relatives can also work with you to support a gentle transition into care.
Get practical
When beginning child care, it’s useful to have a good understanding of how it works. Practical questions to ask for daycare might include: What times can I drop off and pick up my child? Will I be able to visit and call my child at any time? Do you provide nappies and meals or do I need to provide them?
It’s also useful to have an understanding of child to staff ratios, the skills and experience of staff, and how staff will encourage your child’s learning and development. With these practical questions answered, you can feel more confident and comfortable with leaving your child in care.
Learning and growing together
Education begins at home from the minute a baby is born. But child care can broaden and develop your child’s physical, social, emotional, and cognitive growth.
Focus on quality
A quality childcare centre opens up your child’s world to new relationships and new opportunities to play, learn and develop.
Conduct a thorough reference check. 
Do not rely on the nanny agency’s background check as the final word — conduct your own.
Carry Out Medical Screenings
Screen for HIV, Hepatitis B and other communicable ailments in your caretaker and request same from your day care centre.