1st Day of Kindergarten
Since becoming a mom, this is the first time I remember feeling anxious being away from one of my children. Although I felt a little sad about always returning to work after maternity leave, I mostly felt “ready” to return to my normal routine. Leaving the kids at a small home daycare in Baltimore and with family/sitters in Georgia has felt "comfortable." I knew they had loving caregivers with lots of attention to provide for my little ones. This morning, however, felt like something entirely new. I sent my baby off to school on a big bus with only a name tag to help direct her. It felt so strange writing her name, my phone number, her teacher’s name, and bus number on a tag. It was like applying an airline tag for the possibility of lost luggage – but this isn’t just luggage. It probably brought up some of my own anxiety about getting lost on my first day of school. My brother found me in the hallway and directed me to my class, but Hadleigh doesn’t have an older...