Working days and mami days

I don't know what every day is called, but I do know that one day a week mami doesn't work and stays home with me.

Then for two days after that papi is home with us.

And then after that I go to nursery and play with my friends. Then it happens all over again.

It has been like this since I turned one. I am two and a half now, but I still feel sad and confused when mami drops me off after 3 days together.

I don't cry or anything because crying is for babies, but I just feel we were having such a good time together so why ruin it and leave me at nursery? But I think mami (or papi, depends on who is taking me) feel the same way.

Cuddle time!

As soon as I realise we are nearing the nursery doors, I get really quiet and keep calling mami's name. Before going into my classroom I ask mami to carry me in and I hold on to her neck really really tight. So tight that sometimes it hurts her. 

And even if we have had a difficult morning and I didn't get my way, or I didn't want to get dressed, I forget all of that and I just want her to change her mind and go back home together.

But that doesn't happen.

She walks me to my breakfast table, sits me down and softly whispers "La mami te quiere mucho, mucho. Ya vuelvo a buscarte/Mami loves you very much, I'll be back soon" and kisses me all over.

At that point I usually laugh a little because her kisses tickle my neck and I look at her and say "Chao mami, te quiero mucho mucho/Bye mami, I love you very much". And she leaves to take the choo-choo train to her work.

tickle tickle!

By the time she is on the train, I am sitting at circle time dancing and singing with my friends and I am happy again. Besides, we are always doing something new and fun!

And so begins another week.

But I know that in a few days I will be snuggled up with mami and relaxing in our PJ's while she pretends to be sleeping then suddenly opening her eyes and tickling me. "Tickle, tickle, tickle" she says. And I yell out and try to escape. It's a game we play, and she gets me every time!

I know that a lot of mummies work and that we are not the only ones who go through this. But we really do try to enjoy every moment we have together. And with papi too! Besides, I need a break from them.

But SHHHH, don't say that too loud, mami might not like to hear that, it would break her heart.

How do you divide your time between work and your kids? Do you plan special activities or just take it easy?

We've come a long way

The Monday after my first birthday party, mami and I got up very early that dark winter morning. I noticed she was dressed which was unusual because she was usually in her PJs well into lunchtime.

Something about that morning was different, mami kept hugging and kissing me and daddy was also up and ready for work. On other days, we would wave to daddy from the window.

We headed out the door all together and before I knew it were we on a bus! Where were we going?

We soon made our way past the park, and then got off a few stops later. I had been here before, but I couldn’t remember why. Then we rounded the corner and then I saw it: the place with all the toys and lots of kids. It was my nursery!

My first birthday!

See, mami was going back to work after one year of staying at home with me. She said it was very difficult to leave me, but had decided she would work 3 days a week and spend 2 days with me. She thought this would be much easier for everyone.

That day was the longest day ever. I waited and waited, but mami was nowhere. I played with new toys and sang new songs. There were other kids there too; but I had never seen them before. Even the lunch was a little different than I was use to, but I still ate it. I asked for my dummy and I kept looking for mami.

After my nap, mami still wasn’t there. I looked and looked, but she was no where in sight. I cried out for her, and one of the girls came to pick me up.

She gave me a hug and said mami would come soon. Finally, after what seemed like days of curling up with my nursery teacher, the door opened and there was mami!

First morning - mami off to work and me going to nursery

I crawled over as fast as I could, stood up and held on to her legs. I cried and cried, not wanting her to go away again. She scooped me up and wouldn't stop kissing me. We hugged and held each other. I felt tear drops on my head, and when I looked up I saw mami wiping her eyes.

It was a very different and tough day for both of us, but I know we are not the only family who has to go through this new stage in life.

Nine months on and mami and is still working 3 days a week, and I have learned that mami will come back for me at the end of the day.

Being a working mum and a nursery-going toddler is not easy, but we have adjusted nicely and we are now more settled into our routine.

Having my breakfast at nursery

I really like going to play with my friends and when mami drops me off I run over the the breakfast table to eat my cereal!

It's never easy and mami says that even when she is very busy at work, she does miss me and can't wait to see me (I miss her too!)

But I just want to say that it is okay now! I like nursery and mami and I both get a “break” from each other.

Yes, even us little one’s need some time away.