This week the dreaded day arrived: baby ventured out into the world on her own. Now that her father and I are busy with work, we've decided to enroll baby in a daycare program two afternoons a week. It was not a decision we arrived at easily, and as I walked into the YMCA with my precious baby girl in my arms, knowing that I would walk out without her, I felt my heart breaking. And I felt panicked for her: Would she feel abandoned when I left? Would she burst into tears and be completely inconsolable? Would I be letting her down as a mother?
Here is how I envisioned the scene:
MOMMY: Okay, baby, it's time for Mommy to say bye-bye. I'll be back to pick you up very soon.
BABY (bursts into hysterical tears and blurts out something to the effect of...) No, Mommy! You can't go! If you leave me alone at such a tender age, I will suffer severe trauma and develop irreversible trust issues. I'll lose my ability to ever have an intimate relationship, and I'll cry so loud that everyone in the neighborhood will know that you've chosen your career over your own child. Plus, I have mixed feelings about my new sippy cup.
MOMMY: Oh no! I better take you home right now.
BABY: Yes, I think it's best that I live at home until I'm forty-five.
MOMMY: I love you, baby.
BABY: I love you too, Mommy.
How it went in actuality:
MOMMY: Okay, baby, it's time for Mommy to say bye-bye.
BABY: (munching on a cracker and not turning around) BYE-BYE.
MOMMY: I'm going to pick you up really soon.
Baby continues eating crackers, oblivious to MOMMY heading out the door.
MS. KAREN (overhead by MOMMY, who lingers right outside the door): Wow, look at that, she didn't even cry when Mommy left.
MS. FERGIE: Amazing. I've never seen that before.
Three hours later, MOMMY and DADDY enter the room. BABY lights up and runs, shrieking with glee...straight to DADDY.
And so, like legions of mothers before me, I have dusted off my bruised ego and I'm happy that my little baby has taken a step toward independence. And I've learned an important lesson. Next time I pick her up, I'm not bringing Daddy.
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Obviously, this brilliant child is quite independent and is open to new challenges and adventures. Take it as a compliment to your skills as a mother, and to your wise purchase of crackers.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the grandmother.
ReplyDeleteIt is going to be such an adventure to watch her grow up--it is lovely to know she is just as unique as we all thought!
P.S. As part of the process, it might be good to update Sloane's age on the blog profile. She will be 45 one day, and it will still say "one year."
ReplyDeleteThis child os great. She is just like here mom
ReplyDeleteDad