We pick them up only after they have become tired and grumpy and said strangers don't want them anymore for the day. We rush around to finish whatever we need to finish, often dropping them off with other strangers for lessons or sports or whatever they convinced us they really really want to do, until three weeks in when it's not fun anymore.
We grab supper or run home to make it, only for them to not want their favorite food because they had such a long day they don't know what they like anymore, and then try to clean them and put them to bed. At that point they will suddenly realise how hungry they are but leftover supper wont be good enough at all, so because I hate to see my child hungry I get food, then try bed again.
By bedtime they are over tired, running late, and exhausted, but can't sleep.
Then we do it all again.
I want my child home with me, but I can't keep up with everything they need to know. Technology grows and changes so fast, no way could I keep up without going to school myself full time all the time. I want to cuddle while we read, I want to use Barbies to do math, I want to go on field trips where we are the only ones there. I am selfish I know, but she is only going to like me and want to be around me for just a few more years, then I'll be trying to get away for just a little while, or she'll be doing everything she can to get out with her friends. Why must we force this seperation so soon? I'm going to miss the good parts and get the tired and grumpy pieces left at the end of the day.
I'm sure I'll adjust. I"m sure she'll have fun. I can't wait for pick up time when we can have what's left of the day together. By the time she's a teenager I won't have that.