Mama comes back, she always comes back, she always comes back to get you… ♪♫
It is 7:45am, and our Nanny and Stella are singing that little ditty to Harvey as I get ready to walk out the door. He is in a serious Mommy phase lately, and he’s always kind of a wreck when I leave for work, which kills me. Both of my kids started daycare at 8 weeks old, but Harvey has had an in-home Nanny or his Nana watching him since he was about 12 weeks old, and he definitely struggles more with separation anxiety than Stella ever did, perhaps because he’s always at our house and in our space still when I have to leave him. I hate it. Stella on the other hand…
*****
Stella: It’s okay Harvey, Mommy always comes back!
Me: That’s right. I just have to go to work. I’ll see you both at lunch.
Stella: Right! You have to go to work to go to meetings.
[Insert a grimace from me. Apparently I’ve been complaining too much about the early morning office meetings lately.]
Me: That’s right, I do have a meeting this morning.
Stella: Daddy is at work too. He is paying the bills.
[I crack up laughing. This phrase started because last summer Stella asked Charlie to stay home from work one day, and he told her that he couldn’t stay home because he had to go to work to pay the bills. She literally thinks that’s what he does at work now. In reality, he is a concrete contractor! LOL]
Me: Yep, you’re right, Daddy is paying the bills. Have a good day with Miss Margi, okay?
Stella: [wistfully] I can’t wait until I’m a big girl and can go to work and pay the bills.
Me: Okay kid. Be careful what you wish for. I love you.
Stella: Love you too, Mommy! See you later!
*****
She is such an easygoing, well adjusted kid about this stuff. I know that so much of it is just her inherent personality (super outgoing and comfortable hanging out with most anyone), but it sure makes it easier on us when we have to leave for work every day. I just hope she rubs off on her brother soon!
So happy to see Daddy at the end of the day. <3