Saturday, November 24, 2012

Separation Anxiety

The rare night when George and I go out alone often overflows with conversation about Claire. Funny how that happens. We say we need a break from her, when we really can't get enough.

It's usually warranted for us to start off an evening with a back and forth about our daughter. Upon our exit, Claire acts as if we are abandoning her to a slow, torturous death at the hands of an interloper, who is clearly more fit for the role of Medea than care of a defenseless, 18-month-old child.

Or at least, this is how Claire seems to see it. She almost sells me on this angle, too. Hence the need for conversation that helps me shake off the mommy guilt of separation from her:

"Claire's certainly got a flair for drama from me," George (my actor husband) says. "I could hear her crying a thousand yards away from the door."

"Did you see the look on her face?" I say. "I didn't know such a tiny mouth could open that wide."

"Kind of like the Greek tragedy mask," George says, while getting on his smart phone..."Was it like this?" he says.




"No, the sides of her mouth went in more. I don't know how she contorts her little face like that," I say.

"How about this?" George replies.


"Even more melodrama," I say. George counters with: "This?"


"That's it!" I say, as we both lean in over the phone and nod.

If we sound flip about our daughter's pain, it's because we know that she will look more akin to the comedy side of the mask, once she shakes it off:


Or maybe that's what we choose to believe, since we really do need a break.

20 comments:

  1. Important to get out for some adult time. We try not to talk about Henry, but at some point, we inevitably talk about how cute he is and look at his little round head on the baby webcam/monitor app on my husband's phone.

    Your daughter has such a cute smile!

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    1. Thanks! I love how her eyes become half moons, when she smiles full blast! But that's what a mom is supposed to say.

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  2. I feel your pain, my youngest twin Layla has done the same thing! The one thing that has worked in her favor though, has been since Daddy got hurt and is off work, she gets to stay with Daddy while Mommy works. We still need to find a way to get away from the kids for a little bit so that we can have adult time. We have spent so much time with our kids, that they are spoiled on us! We need a break soon!

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    1. Yes, I read what your family is going through! I am thinking of you! And wishing you a break.

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  3. Sometimes you just have to find the humor of the situation! When we leave our daughter we always end up talking about her, our last date night we even watching the Being Elmo documentary...I can't seem to get away from the red furball.

    Thank you so much for linking up to Raising Imperfection!
    Leslie
    www.violetimperfection.com

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    1. We saw that documentary! My daughter is OBSESSED with Elmo.

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  4. She just wants you to know you will be missed! ;-) Seriously it does get better. If you have the opportunity to have adult time you need to take it! At least it like everything else in our lives makes prime blogging opportunity. I love how you used the images of the masks in your post. :-)

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  5. Haha! SO cute. Brian and I went on vacation for the first time without Rey and we wanted to cry after the second day. We missed our baby so much!
    Reagan definitely has a flair for the drama too!

    Thank you for linking your favorite post to Raising Imperfection. Please come back Friday to see if you were featured.

    Lanaya
    www.raising-reagan.com

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    Replies
    1. We haven't been on a vacation yet. I think it would be hard on us too.

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  6. Aw, I can see why you talk about her even when you're out. She's a gem. :)

    Visiting today from No Rules blog hop.

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  7. I know how you feel!!
    My son has literally slept over (at his grandma's no less) twice in his 2.5 years. HaHa The first time was just this Halloween!! I can't do it. I admit it.

    Visiting today from Raising Imperfection blog hop:)

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    Replies
    1. Yes, I can relate. We are trying to get my daughter used to a babysitter, but it's a sloooww, painful process.

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  8. Lol, I remember I'd never agree to go out because I was afraid of our daughter crying while we were gone. But they really get used to it after a couple times, I wish I had started sooner. Now she will barely say bye because she knows I'll be back in a few hours anyway. :)

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  9. Love this post Rachel :)
    Such a cute smiley girl. It's hard to listen to the separation cry, you'd think we were leaving the country! So nice to get out and have some kid free time though.

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  10. My eldest has always been fine with us not being there but I have never really left the youngest as he is so shy around everyone. We are going out in a couple of weeks though but I will stress all night about him!! Your little one is too cute!!

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  11. Haha. I liked this conversation post today, Rachel. Your little girl's photo is super hammy and cute too. Enjoy your time alone and be ultra kind to your babysitters, because as mamas, we all need a good sitter from time to time.

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  12. Great post!!! We all need that alone time with our significant others. I think it makes us parent a little better.

    P.S. Found you on Tough Cookie Mommy's Monday Mingle.

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  13. Separation anxiety is the worst...my 9 month old has it.

    hopefully next week you jump in the picture. Mommy and Me Monday is for pictures of you and your kiddos to make sure we are present in the picture. Also, please let me know if you have a hard time grabbing the button as I thought I had it fixed:)

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