Wednesday, Maddy’s masseuse (I know, I know) told me that Maddy is too attached to me. I smiled, nodded and dismissed her, as I am not really interested in parenting advice from a new age, Italian masseuse.
Thursday, Maddy skipped school & spent the entire day with me as I worked from home.
Friday, Maddy cried & screamed and clung on to me like a baby monkey when I brought her to the asilo so early in the morning. I calmed her and between sobs, she pleaded, “Momma, I just want to be with you all of the time. Just you, Momma.” (We've had some intense bonding in her dad's absence this week.)
Thankfully, the masseuse was not around to witness that show.
As we go about our days in this foreign land away from family, I sometimes get a feeling that we are all that we’ve got, and, at times, I too, only want to be with him & her. . . .just those 2. . . just us. . . the party of 3. So while it saddens me to see her in distress in those moments, I don't mind so much that she is "too attached" to me, to him. I understand, wholly.
4 comments:
So funny and sad. I do hope this foreign land will become truly your home soon, and perhaps it will happen through your now clinging daughter, and the friends she'll make at the asilo and the parents you'll get to know! I understand too, wholly.
I completely understand. My son just turned 4 and has been going to the same school for almost 2 full years, but I still don't send him full-time. My neighbors think it is strange (I know they think I'm somehow robbing him of his schooling!). But, since we are leaving, and Italian isn't his native language and he will never be this age again, I sometimes want to hold on to as much as I can. Of course, other days I can't get him to school fast enough!
Though I don't have children, I understand the feelings you described of being too attached... I believe it could be partly from living in a foreign country. I feel sometimes I'm closer to the friends I've made here than I ever would be to many friends made in the states. I think this may have a large part to do with the feelings you described. "The being just us" concept is one I see and understand well.
Karen,
You know I have friends here who do pretty much the same thing -- half day, but only 4 days a week at the asilo. I think most Moms understand that need to hold on to their babies, even if they are four and five. Besides, they have the rest of their lives to go to school and only so much time to play with Mom (or Dad).
Post a Comment