Why Remaining Optimistic In Front Of Your Children Is Critical

Children pick up on everything. Even with my best game face on, Parker can tell when I am having a stressful day or when I am preoccupied with other things. Even tiny babies pick up on parents' emotions. Parent separation anxiety and guilt can often transfer to your children if you are not careful. Make sure you never make them feel guilty.

Give it your best to be optimistic, upbeat, and enthusiastic every single day. As a working mom, you may be more anxious than your toddler, so do your best to reassure him (and yourself) that you are making the right decision for your family. Appreciating that separations are a part of life is a key step to building a guilt-free working motherhood. But it's also one of the hardest. For many mothers, it is something that will continue to be an ongoing process. Even today, it is still difficult for me to drop Parker at daycare, or say goodbye to Emily and Megan for a few days. But I keep trying, and the above tactics help.

And although I try to do everything right, sometimes I still make mistakes. Luckily, I know that part of my responsibility as a working mother is to teach my children that it is all right if I am not always there. Parker, Emily, and Megan have all learned to be comfortable without me, to understand that I will always return, and to see that their mother has a life outside of our family. Knowing these are important lessons has helped turn my separation anxiety into working mother confidence.The best way to do this is to get to know your caregiver - before you enroll. It will help you relax if you feel you really know him or her, and it will help you make your childcare decision. So have discussions with each caregiver on how they intend to handle tough situations, like separation sadness. But also remember that just as the teachers are developing their own relationships with your children, they also do things differently than you, and that is okay.

One of the most difficult issues I had with getting comfortable with daycare for Megan was getting over my fear that her teachers didn't know her secrets. They did not know that she liked having a pacifier handed to her upside down, or that she often preferred having one sock on and one sock off while napping. It's true, they did not know nor did they necessarily feel the same concern I felt for these little nuances. But children are surprisingly adaptive. Good caregivers will find their own way - and might even surprise you with new secrets they learn along the way. Once you've made your childcare decision, it's important to continue to acknowledge your caregiver. Have brief chats when you pick your child up, send notes of appreciation, and absolutely acknowledge him or her on teacher appreciation day. Starbucks cards are my go-to gift of choice