Heartbreak

Today I had to observe at school. I have been doing it for about 2 weeks now and have actually been enjoying it, even though I was scared to death at first. I have taken advantage of my Mom, M-i-L and a new friend I have become quite close to in the neighborhood whose son is the same age as mine and they go to the same pre-school. I have been taking advantage of Candace way too often, I feel, and want to let her know how much I truly appreciate her generosity with her time. Here's the latest reason why...

Yesterday, I had called my mom to make sure she was OK with watching Nolan this morning. She said she would be over in the morning so I could get off on time to school. Then, later yesterday, she called and said she had a Dr. appt and that she would be sending my dad in her place to watch my son. She and I both had a little anxiety about my dad coming because my son has a bit of a temper and is not very easy to calm down if he doesn't get his way. He also is very slow to warm up to different people...You could say he is possibly spoiled. But anyway...

This morning, I was getting ready for "work". Nolan was in GREAT spirits and was all playful with me. He was being such a great kid. I wished I could have spent the day with him and hugged on him. I decided he would be OK with anything thrown at him, so I told him that Grandpa was coming over to watch him today...Bad news...He started crying and said he wanted me to stay home. My dad got to my house and wasn't in the best mood. He sat down at the table and started reading the paper...Not 1 word to Nolan yet...I gave instructions to my dad about Nolan and tried leaving. As soon as Nolan saw my dad, he started crying harder. My dad's first words to my son were, "IF YOU CRY, YOU'RE GOING TO YOUR ROOM." Nolan cried harder. My dad repeated it. Nolan was begging me to stay. My dad was done talking, turned off his hearing aids and went back to reading the paper... Hmm.

I was now late and HAD to leave. I started walking out the door, while my son was wailing. He was trying to go with me. Finally, I called to my dad to please come guard the door so I could leave...Dad? Dad! Dad!! I go into the kitchen. He is still at the kitchen table reading the newspaper...I am screaming "DAD" at the top of my lungs to get his attention. Finally he looks up. Oooh. What a great start to my day! He finally gets up and stands at the door like one of those British soldiers at Buckingham Palace with no emotion...nothing affectionate for my son. I drive away bawling. I cannot leave my son in that situation and expect him to be OK. I call my friend Candace, crying. She comes to my rescue, once again! As soon as he got to her house, he was happy.

Thanks Mom and M-I-L for all the times you have watched my kiddos. You have no idea how grateful I am!
Thanks Brenda for helping me out with taking him and/or picking him up from school!
Thanks Candace for becoming my friend recently and helping me out so often!

If I ever think that it might be OK for my dad to watch my kiddos, please remind me of this day! My dad...I love him so...but he has no patience with my son.

But you know what? Today is going to be OK!