A New Locket

I have been a stay-at-home mother for almost nine years and I have loved every minute of it.  There have been times when it's been monotonous and there have been times when I didn't want to play with toys or watch a kid's show on television even though the kids insisted.  There were times when I really had to struggle to remember how grateful I was to be able to stay home and take care of the kids.  We've had financial struggles and had to sacrifice but it's all been worth it.  There have been things I wish I could have done differently but the past is in the past and I can't change it.  The nine years went by in a blink of an eye.  One minute I was holding a newborn baby then it seemed the next minute I had a three year old and a newborn baby and then ... now I have two school aged kids.  It went by too fast.  It's not fair how fast these years went and I'm sure it will only seem much faster from here. 

Because of not working outside of the home my kids have been used to having me here with them.  We haven't had to depend on anyone else caring for them.  It's always been me.  My son eased into the long hours of school pretty easily but my daughter is having problems.  She said she loves kindergarten but the day is too long and she misses me.  In the morning she tries to get out of going to school and the entire morning is a teary one.  She gets on the bus and the tears start up again.  It's hard for me to go through the day unsure of what my kids are doing and how they are.  I managed to get used to it with my son but now I'm doing it all over again with my daughter.  She's so small.  So fragile.  So sweet.  Watching as she climbs up those steps on the school bus is tough to watch.  She's five and that's the age all kids start kindergarten but she's a small five.  She's petite.  I look at her and realize she still needs Mommy but Mommy has to let her go even if neither one of us wants to do so. 

I had an idea to buy her a locket to wear.  My husband bought it.  I put in pictures of us with her and presented it to her this morning.  I told her this was a way for Daddy and I to be with her while she's in school.  It made her emotional but she accepted it.  I hope it helps.  I'm not sure what else to do.  I know her adjustment to school will happen and she's in the middle of her second week but it's frustrating. 

These picture aren't the best but here it is. 

Look at that face and those tear stained eyes.  It breaks my heart to see her this way.  I am praying and asking for God's help because that's all I can do.  She's a smart kid who is totally sweet and outgoing but lately she's been depressed and clingy.  I'm hoping this passes.