Nursery

Our church has a nursery for kids ages 0-18 months during its Sunday
morning service. This morning, we decided to put Jada there for the
first time. Although we both agreed Jada needed more time with other
kids, we were worried that she'd howl the whole time and make life
miserable for the workers and the other kids. I even suggested to Amy
that perhaps we stay down there this first time, and if it worked out
leave her the second time, just to give Jada an easier transition.
But Amy said everything she'd read said that you just leave the child
and don't make a big deal out of it. So that's what we did.

In the nursery, there were so many fun new toys to play with that as
soon as we let her down to the ground, Jada immersed herself in play.
I don't think she even looked back at the door once, as we gingerly
backed out of the room. Another parent who joined us in the morning
service a few minutes later said they had taken their toddler down to
the nursery and saw how Jada was quietly and happily playing.

Jada only started crying at the very end, as parents were coming back
to get their kids; probably the commotion and wondering what was going
on. But soon enough, we were there to get her. We went to the
fellowship hall for coffee and socializing, and Jada resumed her quiet
and happy playing, crawling around on the floor, observing other
little ones at play, and pulling herself to a standing position every
chance she could get.

I can't tell you how nice it was to sit in morning service with my
wife and not have to keep an eye out for Jada. Although by the end of
the service, I think Amy and I were both missing our daughter a
little, eagerly awaiting being able to go to the nursery and get her.
Absence makes the heart grow fonder, but as two weary parents, absence
sure is a relieving experience.