I'm a curious person. I freely admit that. Perhaps that's part of the reason why I'm working in a profession where you ask questions. Because of this, it shouldn't surprise anyone that I'd often like to be that "fly on the wall." I figure it would help me answer so many questions I have about why things are done the way they are.
The reason why I bring this up now is that I just had a conversation with a fellow Mom outside of Autumn's child-care center this morning. We both said it's hard to just drop off the kids and leave. It's not because they cry and carry on because Mommy is leaving. That happens sometimes, but at least for me, it's a very, very rare occasion.
Why I like to see is how Autumn interacts with the other children. I like to sit and watch them play. I like to see them dance together or give each other hugs. I like to learn the kids' names so I can tell Autumn who she might see at "school" today. Even though she doesn't really answer me yet (except, sometimes, with a nod of the head), I ask her if she had fun at school. I ask her about her friends and if she had fun with them.
Taking an extra minute also lets me get to know Autumn's teachers. I feel more comfortable with them and they with me. Sometimes we learn a little about each other's lives other than that I'm Autumn's mom or they're Autumn's teacher.
Keith switched jobs a few months ago and now he's not right across the street from Autumn's "school." He doesn't get to drop her off or pick her up most of the time. He says that's one of the things he really misses. We'd often drive to work together and when he'd finish before me, he'd walk over to the center and wait, watching the kids play, until I was done with work and went to pick them up. Now he only gets to pick her up if he's done early because now, instead of walking across the street, he's a 25-minute drive (in good weather) away.
With noticing how much he misses seeing her at "school," I can't help but think I'm not the only one who likes to be a fly on the wall.