Babysitting

“Mom are you free the first week of September to watch Molly?” My daughter Amy was going back to work after having the summer off, and her nanny was going on vacation the week Amy had to return to her job. Of course I was available.

Before going to watch Molly, my mind was racing as I contemplated how I could make this fun? The first thought I had was to dress up as Mary Poppins and bring a bag full fun. I came to my senses and realized the first day back to work for my daughter was going to be hard.

I doubt my daughter wanted humor as she had to kiss Molly goodbye and leave for work. I had to be there for Amy and let the day evolve. I arrived at 7am at Amy's house after an hour trip from further out east on Long Island. Molly and Daddy greeted me at the door. Amy was getting ready for work and came downstairs a bit shaky, anxious and in no mood to talk. She hugged and kissed Molly goodbye with tears streaming down her face. Molly and I waved bye-bye to mommy, blowing kisses as we said, “See you soon, Mommy.” I too cried as I watched my daughter drive away with her red nose and tears.

It is the end of October, and I still have silent tears thinking of how difficult it still is for my daughter to leave her precious child each day. How many moms wish they could stay home and raise their children? There's a constant internal conflict knowing your child grows so quickly and you don't want to miss any “firsts,” yet you must work.

Amy and I continue to discuss the importance of prioritizing. And I listen to her express her feelings. Amy said to me last week, “I recognize that my working is also teaching Molly and me never to be dependent on a man because you never know what can happen in life, Mom!” It sounds like my daughter is all grown up.