I arrived at work late this morning, and just before I dashed over to the meeting I had to attend at the hotel next door, I glanced down at my shirt. There it was – the telltale sign of sadness. Snot on my shoulder. Little four-year-old snot from a sad little girl who cried on my shoulder while I tried to pry myself away and make it to my bus on time.
She’s sad these days, my normally cheery little extroverted video-producer. She’s sad because for the first time in her life, she has to spend her days away from her buddy, Daddy. Yesterday, I got a call that her tummy hurt and she was crying. Turns out, she was missing us. She cried several times last night, and then again this morning. It was horrible leaving her there this morning. I had to fight the tears as I rode the bus downtown.
It’s caught us by surprise. She was so excited about daycare. The first few days, she was having so much fun being surrounded by new friends every day. But now the novelty has worn off, and she doesn’t want to go anymore. “I have an idea,” she said plaintively, “maybe I can go to Taylor and Noah’s house.” Nope, honey, that doesn’t really work. “Well, then maybe Auntie Cyndi could look after me.” Nope, I’m afraid not. You’ll just have to try to be brave and get used to going to daycare.
I know this will get easier, but right now my heart is breaking.