And then there were two…

My oldest is staying with my parents this week. It’s her first solo trip and she was THRILLED to have all the attention of her grandparents. The glee that emanated from her face as we backed out of their drive way was unmistakable. What know one noticed was the glee that was visible on my face. Yes, I am acknowledging that I was happy she was staying with my parents for a week. She is my darling daughter, but she is a difficult child, and from the moment she wakes up in the morning, to the moment she goes to bed it is nothing but drama. Drama. And more drama. And it’s shrieks and shrills and whines and tears. And then it starts all over again. She exhausts me. I don’t know how to handle it. And then there is the constant battle between her and her brothers. It never seems to end.

I was looking forward to having two children this week. The boys are easy. They fight, but within seconds it’s over. Is it a Mars vs. Venus thing? I miss her. But I don’t miss the baggage that comes with her. Am I admitting the unadmittable? Ayelet Waldman created a brouhaha by acknowledging she loved her husband more than her children. Are mothers allowed to NOT miss their children when they are apart? If not, I’m in big trouble.

When she returns on Saturday, I will be waiting with open arms and a joyous heart, but I will also be wishing for her to stay one more day with her grandparents.