It is Spring Break in our neck of the woods and after 10 months off from having to wake up early, pack lunches, rush out the door and manage my schedule around school pick up, I’m back at it for a week (and I surely haven’t missed it!)
Last Friday and this whole week marks a new milestone in Sugarplum’s little life, as well, as she embarks on her first experience (ever!) being away from family for an extended time.
By this age (four and a half) Honeybun had already completed a year of preschool and almost a full year of Pre-K. But with the decision to homeschool also came the reality that Sugarplum wouldn’t be doing these things or having the experience of being on her own as much.
It’s not that she is never without us, though. She started gymnastics classes just after she turned three and now also does a once a week dance class. But the classes are short so I usually stay.
As part of her monthly gymnastics tuition, however, she has been accruing free camp classes. So this week I decided to finally do it: put her in camp for 6 half days.
It’s not that I’ve been trying to keep her with me at all times or that I don’t want her having experiences away from the family, the opportunity (other than school) just hadn’t presented itself before now. I’m really excited for her to venture off on her own and learn new things. I’m excited for her to work on her independence and being able to cooperate with other children and adults without my help. I’m excited for her to take this little step of growing up.
But in reality, letting go of your baby for the first time is hard. Whether they’re 6 days, 6 weeks, 6 months or 6 years, that first time you leave them somewhere and walk away is a little nerve wrecking. How will they do? Will she be upset? What if she wants me before it’s time for me to come?
I don’t have trouble letting go because I’m worried about her well-being, I know she is very well taken care of and that she is having tons of fun, but I also know that she’s a little fireball and I don’t know if she would ever throw one of her epic fits or get upset like she does with me when she’s away. I worry about how other people will handle her if she does.
So far, she’s completed 2 days and is still eager to go back even though she has come home exhausted each day. But she is reluctant to talk about her days and hasn’t made any friends (or none that she has connected with) but maybe that’s because she tells them it’s none of their business when they ask her name!
I loved reading this post, I too worry about leaving my girl all the time. So much so that my husband and I haven’t had a date night since December, and the last date night we ended up coming home early because she cried the entire time we were gone. I worry so much that I’m holding her back for not going out as much but it’s SO HARD! We don’t have any family here so leaving her is HARD! I’m excited to start following your blog more, it’s nice to find someone with a little one just a wee bit older than my own (she’s 2.5 now). Thanks for visiting my blog, also! XO
Tawnya, so glad you stopped by! It’s definitely hard leaving little ones, especially with non-family members they aren’t comfortable with. Hubby and I don’t focus a lot on “dates,” we get out alone when we can (usually when family is in town or we have an important event) but try to get out as a family as much as possible. We’ve taken our kids out to restaurants since they were days old and they do really well so we don’t feel trapped!
It can be hard to let go. They seem so vulnerable – but I have noticed that I am normally more worried than they are about the whole thing!
Absolutely, Natsha! She had a great time and I survived just fine without her.