He's a Big Boy, But Not That Big
This morning, J woke at 6 a.m., just as I was about to head downstairs to run on the treadmill. Instead of that, I changed her diaper and her clothes, grabbed a bottle of milk and headed out the door with the jogging stroller. I was going for a 3-3.5 mi easy jog, so the stroller would add a degree of difficulty, but not hamper my speed since today was not a designated speed day.
37 minutes later, I return to the house. As I climbed the hill, out of habit, I look for W's vehicle. Which was gone. This morning, N starts his two-week art camp at one of the local museums. It does not start until 9 a.m. My mind is racing and I hope that W has taken N with him to the office and then I will simply go to the office after dropping J at daycare and later take N to his camp.
You know where this is headed now, don't you?
I try the front door - locked. This could mean (a) W thinks I have my key with me, or (b) W thinks I am in the basement. So I go around the back and enter the house, to be greeted by N.
"Mommy! Why did you leave me alone???"
My heart dropped. I kneeled and hugged my 5 yr 10 mo old big - but not big enough to be left alone - boy. Tears welled into my eyes.
"Oh, Sweetie! I am so so so sorry!!! How long have you been by yourself?"
"I don't know."
"Were you awake when Daddy left?"
"No. I woke and went downstairs and then got your phone and called him."
"What did he say?"
"He told me to get ready and you would be home soon."
"He was right. You know that neither of us meant to leave you alone, right? We would never ever do that on purpose. We love you. You were so smart and brave to call Daddy and tell him. "
"Am I still a big boy?"
My heart ached all morning. We did not mean to do this. He was alone for maybe 10 minutes. But that is long enough for something to have happened. W and I talked about it - he thought I was in the basement running. I assumed he would know I was outside because the front door was unlocked and a light was left on. And we all know what "assume" can mean.
37 minutes later, I return to the house. As I climbed the hill, out of habit, I look for W's vehicle. Which was gone. This morning, N starts his two-week art camp at one of the local museums. It does not start until 9 a.m. My mind is racing and I hope that W has taken N with him to the office and then I will simply go to the office after dropping J at daycare and later take N to his camp.
You know where this is headed now, don't you?
I try the front door - locked. This could mean (a) W thinks I have my key with me, or (b) W thinks I am in the basement. So I go around the back and enter the house, to be greeted by N.
"Mommy! Why did you leave me alone???"
My heart dropped. I kneeled and hugged my 5 yr 10 mo old big - but not big enough to be left alone - boy. Tears welled into my eyes.
"Oh, Sweetie! I am so so so sorry!!! How long have you been by yourself?"
"I don't know."
"Were you awake when Daddy left?"
"No. I woke and went downstairs and then got your phone and called him."
"What did he say?"
"He told me to get ready and you would be home soon."
"He was right. You know that neither of us meant to leave you alone, right? We would never ever do that on purpose. We love you. You were so smart and brave to call Daddy and tell him. "
"Am I still a big boy?"
My heart ached all morning. We did not mean to do this. He was alone for maybe 10 minutes. But that is long enough for something to have happened. W and I talked about it - he thought I was in the basement running. I assumed he would know I was outside because the front door was unlocked and a light was left on. And we all know what "assume" can mean.
9 Comments:
Wow N handled that well. You must be so proud.
Aw, he did just fine. Really. I think we've all had moments like that, haven't we?
I am SO proud of him for calling W!!! That is totally amazing. :Lesson learned for me, something to teach Declan.
And try not to beat yourself up, I could totally see how that happened.
Tree, the exact same thing happened at our house. I was in the basement on the treadmill and KMan was at his buddy's house just across the street. Mister thought he was downstairs playing while I ran. Mister headed out and I came up from the basement thinking both of them had gone to town. I left to take the dog for a quick walk. KMan came home while I was gone and sat down to have a cry on the front steps. I felt like a tool.
We have all had those moments. What a big boy to call his daddy!!!
He handled it like a champ. Don't beat yourself up too much.
That could have easily happened to me, too. Don't beat yourself up!!
What a smart little guy!
I could totally see that happening at our house, we assume way too much sometimes. N handled it really well though calling W and telling him what happened.
He was so big to call W.
Hugs.
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