This will be the first of many "Bitter Sweets" for both Cole and Emmerson because I know that as time goes on both will make the transition to kindergarten, to Jr. High, High school and then the dreaded day they leave for college. In between these school landmark periods we will deal with bitter sweet moments of first tooth to first lost tooth, first time spending the night at a friends house, first boo boo to first broken arm, first time they realize mom and dad aren't as cool anymore and they try to avoid us. These are life filled moments that we as parents dread but know they are coming.
Poor Shannon had to be "bad parent" in both children's cases to take them to their first day of day care. I remember the day Emmerson had to go. Shannon's school year was at its beginning and we had agreed to take Emmerson a day early to acclimate not only Emmerson but Shannon and myself to the new change. I unfortunately had an early morning conference call and was unable to take her that morning; however it was on my mind that entire day. Shannon cried like most mom's but she knew deep down that she was not cut out to be a stay at home mom. There is nothing wrong with that. Some mom's enter marriage with the life ambition of being a stay at home mom, some, on the other hand, know they would completely lose their minds. Its all in how God made you, I explained to Shannon feeling guilty about the decision. One great thing about Shannon's occupation, however, is that as a teacher she has so much time off with the kids during the key times of the year. The extra income definitely helps, but if she ever decided to be a full time mom we would with out a second thought make that sacrifice.
Back to Cole, again I had a work obligation that required me to be in early (I didn't plan these by the way), and again Shannon had to bear the burden of yet another first daycare experience on her own. This one was not as hard on her as it was with Emmerson, partly because she has been through this before, but I think mainly because she has seen the the great benefit day care has given to Emmerson. Emmerson, and now Cole's day care is a great institution where we know our kids are deeply loved. Emmerson is always at the top of her class, and always been promoted before her peers. She is an extremely smart kid for a three year old. Now I know every parent will say that about their kid, but its not just me. Her teachers are amazed of her abilities and we strongly agree a lot of it has to do with her social and educational interactions at daycare. Although we are sad that Cole is not in our care at home through the week days we are excited to see what he will learn and grow to be in daycare, it is again bitter sweet. So though our hearts are breaking, as they do in moments like these, we smile as we look forward to the tomorrows. Because tomorrow will be a great ride.
-Steve
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