Ain't no mountain high enough

Last week I brought Amelia to a make-up gymnastics class for three and four-year olds. (Her usual class was full.) The big difference between that class and the one she normally attends is that her usual class is a parent participation class.

Yeah, I've left Amelia alone before. In fact, I've left her alone with the staff at her gymnastics school before. But for some reason I really didn't want to leave her last week. I felt a little strange when I walked out the door with Diana, and I was eager to get back.

Today I found out during Amelia's swim class that parents are not welcome around the pool while class is in session. We old folks are supposed to remain seated behind a six-foot picket fence while our children are learning to swim.

I understand why the policy is in place. I'm sure the instructors' main concern is that the kids will focus on their parents if they're nearby and within view (instead of swimming). That didn't prevent me from feeling quite put out when I was asked to leave the pool area while Amelia was in class.

It seems that regardless of how much work Amelia is, I just don't like being without her. I'm sure that's a good thing, when you consider that she IS my daughter. I just never thought I could be so attached to a child who has been known to, for example, make a toy bunny sing, "If You're Happy and You Know It," continuously for 15 mins.

And if that is an exaggeration, it is a very slight exaggeration. (No worries - the bunny is now cleverly hidden away in the garage where it belongs.)

Lisa