Reason for therapy number 87

I forgot my oldest child Friday.

I was busy washing clothes, cleaning bathrooms, packing, changing sheets, packing, caring for the youngest child, packing, washing clothes, answering the phone, packing...

"SHIT!  I FORGOT CAROLINE!!!!!!!" I yelled as I took off running.

I almost lost control as I ran out of the freshly cleaned bathroom, slipping on the rug and almost doing a face plant in the hallway.

2:53 pm.

She gets out at 2:50 pm.

I can get there.  I can get there.

Shit.  I hope I can get there.

Please, God, don't let her be the last one in the carpool line.

Thank the good Lord above because my neighbor pulled out in front of me... obviously late too.

Shew!

At least I know someone she knows is there with her and she isn't the last kid there.

I made it to school.

Caroline got in the car and was all "WHY WERE YOU LATE?  MY TEACHER SAID SHE COULD TAKE ME AND MY FRIEND HOME BECAUSE YOU WERE SO NOT ON TIME!"

Calm your nervous system.

I was 3 to 5 minutes late.

I made it a joke.

We laughed.

We moved on... so I thought.

Fast forward to yesterday.

We were running late of course.

I couldn't find my keys (I swear Ryan tries to hide them from me).

We find my keys and pull out of the driveway.

Only, I realize that I forgot Caroline's snack.

We pull back in the driveway.

I get the snack.

It is 8:05am.

There is NO way Caroline is getting to school by 8:10.

"I CANNOT GET A RETARDY, MOM!!!"

"It's called a tardy, Caroline, and it is NOT the end of the world."

Tears swelled.

"It's ok to get a retardy, Caroline.  You will not be really late.  Just a little late.  That means I get to walk you into school!"

Then she got excited.

A few hours later, I get a phone call.

"Mrs. Lafone, this is Mrs. W.  I was just calling to let you know that Caroline has been in the bathroom all morning with an upset stomach.  The poor thing.  Now, she is crying and I told her I would call you."

I rush over to the school expecting my kid to blow chunks at any moment.

It was obvious that she had been crying but quickly began to smile when we got into the car.

She acted fine at home.

No more stomach issues.

Hummm?

The truth came out later in the afternoon.

"You were late picking me up the other day and that scared me.  Then you were late this morning dropping me off.  I was scared you were going to forget me again."

Dag.  Way to make me feel like a good mama.

I explained that I would NEVER forget her again.  I pinkie promised.

I also explained that getting a "retardy" just means you are running a little late and your mom has to walk in with you.

After talking, she was better.

I felt terrible.

Long story short, I caused my kid to have the shits and now I feel like a terrible mom.

I will tell you this though, I was super early dropping her off this morning.  Like 7:55ish early.

Also, I may have gotten in the carpool line at 2:15 (school is over a 2:50) this afternoon making me car #6 in the pickup line.

Read that and weep, losers.