First day at preschool - mostly the tears are Mummy's...

[Jennifer13]

Lucy's first day at preschool without me today. She was very excited to be there, totally comfortable and happy in her surroundings (we've been along a few times before) and playing without needing me.

I had told her today she would stay without Mummy and would she be sad or okay with that? She told me in the car she'd be 'Sad' then 'Okay'. How smart are kids?! I told her how she would have lunch, then a nap on the little bed (she's been dying to use the little bed, but we have always left before then), then music time and play and then Mummy would come back. Bit quiet about that, but accepting.

Daddy came as well, we watched her play outside, Daddy left, then her little class went inside to play.

Time came to say goodbye. I did a little trial run by telling her I was going to the car to put the camera away and came back. She was fine with that. Then I told her Mummy had to go to work now and she was going to stay here and have fun. Her little arms wrapped around my neck very tightly and she said 'Mummy, no'. Few tears (from her, although I was choking them back by this stage too), but I handed her to Paula and she cried and called for me as I left and waved goodbye.

I waited in the front room and collected some paperwork and had someone check to see if she was still crying (because if she was I was going to join her!), but her teacher came back and said she was fine.

I saved my tears for the car ride home. It's such a reminder that from now on she is going out into the world on her own more and more. I'm there to support her but I can't protect her from the little things (and eventually the bigger things) that will upset and challenge her. And I don't want to, but I do so wish this wasn't so hard!

Now I can hardly wait for 3pm so I can go and pick my baby up!