It happens everyday and everywhere. And I bet each and everyone of you has done it at least once. It’s been a long day and you’re mind is racing with a million things, you’re child wants to tell you something but you don’t notice he/she is talking. Simple harmless mistake, yes don’t feel bad we all do it. Now let’s talk a not so simple harmful act done on purpose.
You have bills to pay, food to buy, clothes, diapers, school supplies, snacks, doctor visits, toys, and the list goes on. So how do you afford all this? You work. But wait what about your kid(s)? You enroll them in daycare, another expense to pay for. You find a very good child care center that you can trust and hey its affordable. So you enroll your child Monday-Friday, you drop off at 7am and pick up at 6pm. Everything seems great, but is it really?
The first few days you go pick up your child and you’re really excited to know all about their day. You talk to the care providers and to your child. But then one day you come in after a stressful day of work, you pick up your child say goodnight to the care providers and leave. And this is where it starts to go bad.
You know your child is taken care of and the excitement of something new is gone. So from here on out you come in, get your child, say goodnight, and leave. No more talking to the care providers and no more talking to your child about his/her day. And now you even come in on your phone, which you dont hang up the entire time you are there. Seems harmless but no it’s not. Your child has gone all day without seeing you and when you finally return they get the cold shoulder. What if he/she did an art project and wanted to show you? What if there was a new toy and he/she wanted you to see what it did?
Now let’s touch on the even worse act, this one boils my blood.
You bring your child to daycare, you bring a lunch, sheet and blanket for nap, maybe a stuffed animal, and some extra clothes in case of an accident. So you have a lunch box/bag and another tote/bag to carry other belongs to and from daycare right? That’s not a lot and when your child has his/her own cubby it’s easy to find it all. Easy peasy.
So for the life of me I can not see any reason to intentionally hide from your child when you come to pick him/her up. Your poor child misses you all day and you selfishly avoid him/her just so you can grab their belongings first. Not cool. And it’s worse when your child sees you gets excited but you scurry off hoping he/she didn’t see you. Guess what, you were seen and now your child is crying and screaming. And hey covering your face doesn’t work, they know it’s you. And hiding in another room, in a bathroom, behind a wall, and even behind another person doesn’t work.
Put yourself in your child’s shoes. How would you feel? Loved, happy, important? No, you would be hurt and maybe even crushed. Would you want to feel that way five days a week? No, so why make your child feel that way?
Think about that the next time you go to pick up your child. Don’t hide and ignore your child. Hang up your phone, you shouldn’t be on it while driving anyway. Take interest in your child’s day, everyday. Don’t just say you love them, PROVE IT. Be a parent. Your child should be first even if you had a bad day at work and you’re tired. If you don’t show your child love who will?
Remember your child looks forward to seeing you at the end of the day, don’t disappoint him/her. Be their smile and let them know you missed them to and your care. Who knows it might even help brighten your gloomy day.
