Timing is Everything

I have my timing all messed up.

Miss Haana had not been spending  as much time at her montessori school during the summer. Both sets of grand parents had been visiting. So when they left, she was to go back to school. Back to her usual routine of 8-9 hours at school. And of course, as with all transitions, this one was not going easy.

Day one after the grand parents left, daddy dropped miss Haana to school as usual. I came back from work to pick her up between 530-545pm. When I opened the door to the classroom to pick her up, I could tell she was really unhappy. Almost teary eyed, she said, "Why are you so late mumma!". Her teacher told me she's been waiting for me since a long time.  I felt like I was dying inside. I hugged her and kissed her all over as I always do when I pick her up.

The next day, I came around 515-530. Still the same reaction. It really bothered me. And again I felt so guilty inside.

I decided to make some schedule changes.  I figured i could go to work early and then pick her up much earlier, and that should be better.  I would still not be picking her up at  3 like she was used to. But it's going to be way better than 530.

The next morning i woke up early and was going to leave for work in the morning (1.5 hours earlier than my usual time), and little miss Haana said something to the effect that she wants me to pick her up during playground time. I dismissed it as a nice-to-have. And soon forgot my instructions.

But i shouldn't have. 

When i reached school to pick her up (I'd been rushing to make it sooner to pick her up. Imagining in my mind the picture of a teary eyed little baby waiting on me..). When i entered the classroom, she looked at me and was instantly extremely disappointed.  She said, "nooo mumma!", and slouched. What was going on i wondered.
"You had to come during the playground time. We have not even formed the line (to go to playground yet)". And with that, she started crying.

I couldn't believe it. She's crying cause I came too early. I knew better than to disturb this delicate balance of picking up schedules. So I said I'll wait on her till she gets to the playground. She went out to the playground with her class. I stuck around in the classroom. I watched her from the windows, wondering what games they play. I stalked her for a bit, till I figured its safe to venture out again.

Finally, I picked her up from the playground, just as decided, and we came  back home happily ever after!