It has been little more than a year since I went back to work. 14+ months of daycares for kuttyma. 14+ months of saying goodbyes in the mornings. And what a ride it has been.

For me it has always been super-hard saying goodbye in the mornings. Whether she goes happily in, sulks or is in tears I am worried . I have tried to put a strong front in the mornings and it has had me in tears as I carried on, as recently as last month. But it is a way of life – I have no regrets and we move on. The initial days were super hard and recently with the transition to Singapore and a new playschool it has been back to tears and sulks. But it has changed – you know in the typical toddler way – a few days of tears and then she is fine.

Recently, when I leave in the mornings to work I get a different kind of send-off. She comes running into my arms, hugs me, kisses me, tells me she loves me and sees me off with a “have fun mommy”.

It melts my heart – I could forever stay in that hug. It is harder than the tears to walk away.

Gosh! I cannot believe it – I always thought tears were the hard part but the love yous are harder.