The Drop Off/The Pick Up

The following blog was originally posted on February 24, 2009 at http://www.parentclick.com/BlogPost.html?id=952:

In a small, microcosmic sort of way, the school pick-up/drop-off represents the best and worst feelings a parent can have with their children. Riley, at 4 years of age is our oldest, and is a pre-schooler.

For the first two months or so, the drop-off was an ordeal of tears and clutching begging, a horrible experience for any parent negotiating soothing an upset child and being late for work. You know it's going to come down to being brave enough to just turn and walk out, leaving your screaming, hysterical child begging you to come back, going against every parental instinct to do what's ultimately best for your child.

Then one day the tears will subside, and the next day the kid will casually skip into class (or in our case the gymnasium). Not only is he no longer crying for you; he forgets to say goodbye and give you a hug.

Then the first year starts to pass, and though Riley still boasts that "I didn't cry today," you know that time is long gone. Does it mean we matter less? I prefer to think it means you've been a good parent, teaching your child a touch of self-reliance and helped him build social skills.

The pick-up, though, thus far has been nothing but good. It's all smiles and hugs and not knowing what was for lunch today. It's warm, and represents both an ending (to the long day) and a beginning (of a new time together). Hearing Riley's wanton enthusiasm for the day, whether it's about what "O is for" or who got in trouble that day, it's all good.

It's a daily bit of pure joy every single day, and both of these times, the pick-up and drop-off, well, they're what being a parent is all about.