Today is a huge day in our home. It is a life changing day. Things will be different now.
For 16 months I have been the first person up in the morning. Each day I tried, rather unsuccessfully, to quietly get ready for work. I snuck out of the house leaving Aria and Braden behind.
This morning I was the last one up. When I roused from my slumber Arica was fully dressed. She was finishing up Braden's breakfast, and she had some muffins in the oven. We had been trying to mentally prepare for this day for weeks. Now it was here. It felt strange.
Today we took Braden to his first day of school, and Arica went back to work.
Unfortunately I had to get used to spending time away from Braden a long time ago. Sometimes I even spent weeks away. During these times it was always comforting to know my little boy was with his Mommy. So this change is a little difficult for me.
It is much more difficult for Arica, and understandably so. She has been with Braden every day for 16 months. I have tried all morning to imagine what it must be like for her, and I can't. I have no idea how hard this must be for such a wonderful mother. I do know she is hurting and will need support. It broke my heart this morning to see her so sad. I will spend a lot of time praying for her comfort today and in the coming days. I know the best comfort for her will be picking up the little man after work today. That will be a great way to end a difficult day.
I know we are doing the right thing. More income will allow us to a lot of things we need to do for Braden. It will give him a better future. He is at a highly recommended Child Development Center. He will learn things and interact with kids. Braden will benefit from this change in many ways.
Still it's tough, especially for Arica. I hope all of you good people will remember us for the next few days as we adjust to a new lifestyle. We will certainly come out stronger in the end, but making a big change requires a little time for adjustment.
As for now I know both Arica and I can't wait until time to see Braden again this afternoon. And as Tom Petty says, "Waiting is the hardest part."
14 comments:
When my daughter was born, both her mother and I were working. So once the maternity leave was up, my daughter had to go to daycare. She wrote a letter to her saying she was sorry that she had to drop her off.
I had also written a note from my daughter to her mother beforehand saying that my daughter understood.
I wasn't upset when she went, i just took it as something that needed to be done.
Now she's home with 4 kids. NO WAY that they're going to daycare right now. Financially it's just not worth it.
But soon my daughter will be going to pre-k. She's looking forward to. This will be the hard part for me. It's less about the time away and more about the fact she growing older.
But I will be saying a prayer for you buddy. It will all be okay.
Tom Petty is a wise man. I hope the transition goes smoothly for you all. I can't imagine what Arica is going through. In some ways I'm too chicken to even think about getting a job outside of the house.
That must be so tough. I recently had a pretty major freak out session when I left my children with a babysitter for the first time ever. (Other than my mom anyway) But that was temporary and so my husband and I could get out alone for once. Not for something like work. Shudder. I imagine it will get easier with time as you adjust to the new normal. Best of luck with that. Hope everything goes smoothly.
oh your poor wife. Maybe after the initial adjustment - she will enjoy work again. I know as much as I miss grayson I like being an adult
Oh, poor Arica. I remember the day I went back to work like it was yesterday. He was only 8 weeks old, though. I cried and cried some more. It took a while for me to adjust to the fact that someone else was taking care of MY baby.
But time will make it easier, and if Braden ends up liking it there, then that'll make it easier, too. He'll get some great social skills, which can only help him in the future. (that's what I tell myself).
And some adult interaction will probably be good for Arica, too.
My favorite part of any work day is picking Ethan up. Seeing that huge smile and watching him run to me.
Good luck with the transition and I'll keep you and Arica in my thoughts!
i am sure he will do great...and so will you. we are facing that this year as well. cole is going to school this coming year and T will go back to work. know it will be hard on her as well....
I hope all goes well with you guys. It is tough to be seperated from your child but you do realize it is in the best interest of everyone for this to take place so you two can work and make money. I will be thinking about you 3 over the next few days.
It's a big adjustment, and bigger for you than for him.
I hope this day wasn't too hard for Arica. I know what it's like to wave goodbye to your little one and set off for work after spending all day, every day with your child or children for a long time. I feel for Arica and you. I'm sure Braden will love pre-school and make lots of new friends. I'm also sure he greeted Arica with smiles, hugs and kisses at the end of the day. I hope Arica will enjoy going back to work after awhile. I hope the sadness ends very soon.
I'll be thinking of all of you.
That's a tough day, but a great one nonetheless... It's Braden's first step toward independence and growing up. Sure, he won't be the little boy he is now, but you have to be proud of this first step he's taking!
By the way, "she had some muffins in the oven"... Wife of the year!!
John
I hope that the transition isn't too bumpy for any of you. You will definitely be on my mind.
Going back to work is very, very hard. Harder on you and your wife than on him, but hard nonetheless. Sounds like you're very in tune with your wife's adjustment. That makes things a lot easier.
It gets easier, I promise.
Though it is so hard to drop kids off at daycare, it is so much fun to pick them up. Seeing their smiling faces at the end of a long day was always a joy to me. I wish you and Arica much of this joy.
I'm sure Arica is torn letting go and going back to work; it's a big step when baby goes to school of any kind.
Bea started a couple of afternoons a week at a preschool and loves it. By the our second baby arrives in August, she'll be there even more.
Mama misses her, but it's a little break too.
;)
Happy Easter!
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