First Night

Lauren and Sam spent their first night without both of us on Friday. Claire went to a wedding, so the kids stayed behind with Grandma and Grandad. Sam had a moment or two, but otherwise was fine, and didn’t even mention Claire the following morning. Claire had already explained what was going to happen to Lauren, and she understood and was very good.

This reminds me of my time in hospital. There were, I think, three nights when my mum wasn’t able to visit (and on one of those she sent my aunt). Each time I cried, and to hide it pretended that my leg was hurting. I doubt that I was fooling anyone, though I got some medicine to help me feel better. I wasn’t crying because I thought I’d been abandoned, or because I couldn’t cope on my own for a night. I just wanted to be with my Mum so badly. I see the same thing now with the kids; one of us will just pop out for an hour and either child can suddenly collapse in hysterics (for a few minutes at least). I can sometimes get frustrated when they are misbehaving, but never in that circumstance.