Girl’s Life

Tonight Sophia did the unimaginable–she cried when it was time to leave daycare. Not that her crying at daycare would be any new thing. For the first two months she cried with dread and sorrow every time I dropped her off (heartbreaking, I know) and would cry with joy and relief every time I picked her up in the evening (Again, my heart. It breaks).

But today was different. Today I came to pick her up and she was full of smiles and laughter. Don’t get me wrong, she really likes the place these days and the tears have been few and far between.

But today she just didn’t want to leave. One more ride down the slide, mama. One more push in the toy car. One more, mama! One more!

Finally I had to resort to threats. “Sophia, do you want me to leave you here and go home to daddy myself?” I only half joked.

“OK, mommy!” she said with a huge hopeful smile, like I was really genuinely going to leave her sitting in a plastic toddler-sized police car on the driveway outside. The fact that I didn’t? Well, there was some major disappointment and–you guessed it–big, soggy tears.

It sure seemed easier back when the tears were because she wanted me with her always, not because she was ready to let me go.

(Photos by Chris.)