Today kids and adults across America went back to school or work. I took the girls to school on my way to rehearsal with the Infinity cast. We've been trying to convince Maddie and Ella to let me drop them off in the mornings and walk in by themselves. They have not liked that idea at all. Not one bit.
Today, I told them on the way to school that it was time for them to walk in by themselves. The news was greeted with moans, drama, and tears. They ARE young, after all. It's a new place, new friends, new teachers, and they are the small ones on campus. It can be extremely intimidating.
We pulled up in line and the 4th grade "helpers" opened the door and they somberly climbed out. As I drove away I saw both of the girls walking, heads drooped. Maddie was wiping her eyes and Ella put her arm around her. They disappeared into the building.
I couldn't stand it. I quickly pulled into a parking spot and literally sprinted in so I could catch them before they made it down the hall to their classrooms. I saw them and called out their names and they ran to me and gave me a big hug. I wiped the tears from their eyes and told them how proud I was of them for taking that first step...and then walked them to their classrooms.
So, basically, the girls got a B+ for drop off today. Daddy got a C-. Life's too short. I just couldn't stand it. They'll get there and probably by the end of the week. I just couldn't drive out of that parking lot without making sure they were ok. There will be a lot of times (and already have been) when tough love must prevail. But today, I was an old softy. And I am just fine with that.
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
Back to Life...Back to Reality
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16 comments:
you are a great dad! you will NEVER regret that moment and i bet you that your girls won't ever forget you making sure they were okay and hugging them! this post made me get tears in my eyes.. i dunno why exactly but i'm glad you pulled over ran in and probably made there days! the day will come that they'll be jumpin out all to fast probably so cherish these days!
You get an A+ for not sending two little girls to school sad! I was gonna cry if you had said you had just driven off! They are young and life is too short. Kolby's new big kid school no longer lets parents walk kids in...NOT EVEN OF THE FIRST DAY! I'm happy I had all those first elementary school mornings and I know you will too! You're a great Dad!
Brandon, Walk them in everyday! Joel started 4th grade and was completely mortified that I walked him in and waited for the bell to ring. They grow soooo fast. Those little "inconveniences" are truly blessings! Love you, Julie Boyd
You made the right choice. There may be a time for tough love, but you chose to equip and empower them to do something today and then you were at the finish line to help them across. I love it.
What a sweet daddy!
My son was reluctant to give up the walk-in, too. And while most of the time we could walk him in, there were just some days we couldn't and we needed him to be able to walk in on those days without it being traumatic. So for a couple of weeks, we practiced. We had a system where we walked him in on M-W-F and he walked in by himself on T-TH. It worked well for the most part. And while most of the times after that, I walked him in, he knew he could do it by himself if necessary. One of the hardest decisions as a parent is knowing when to push. Of course some day when they are teenagers, they'll want you to drop them off around the corner from the school.
Bless. I don't believe in tough love. You did the right thing. They love you even more right now for it. Thanks for sharing, friend!
You are SUPER DAD...it was the right idea to go back after them:)
this is one of the sweetest things i've ever read.
i'm not one for having regrets...but...you can rest ASSURED you will never regret that decision today.
Sweet, sweet slice-of-life story!
With a freshman and a junior, I also say you did the right thing. If your time allows, I also encourage you to walk them in every day. They will come to the point on their own where they no longer need it. With my son, it was very gradual:
-no kissing at the bus stop
-no standing next to him at the bus stop
-watch from the door as he climbed on the bus (which stopped in front of our house)
With our daughter it was very sudden and even younger than her brother. "No, mom. I can do it myself."
Now if I'm going to be in their school building I have to ask ahead of time if I'm allowed to speak to them. Treasure this time.
Brandon,
I'm new to your blog, but we met at the Fresno Zoe conference last year. I'm Ron Stump's kid if that helps jog the memory. Anyway, I can relate and think you are grading yourself to harshly, but maybe that's just because I would have done the same thing.
Anyway, just saying hello. Enjoyed reading some about your family.
I think you handled that exactly right. They learned that they could do it, and they learned (again) that you are their biggest fan, and you'll be there when they need you. I say, Good Job!
I LOVE LOVE LOVE this post. Brandon, you were the perfect picture of a loving and compassionate father today. It is sooooo hard...this letting go thing. There will be many, many times they HAVE to do hard things alone. Let's hug and lavish them while we can, when we can. THANK YOU for sharing this precious experience. Your girls will probably ALWAYS remember it!!!
Love you.
Love it! Great choice! That will probably be one of the things that they will remember...taking those first steps and then hearing their daddy's voice calling there names. Sounds like our Jesus. Great work! M
Yep .... good decision. They WILL grow up faster than you can imagine! Both of my "little girls" are now at Wheaton College and I can't hug them until November! Enjoy every minute with your little ones!!
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