So close, but not quite

For the past 4-5 weeks, Emerson has really embarked into the seperation anxiety phase. It is so frustrating and so sad at the same time. The only time that it is a real problem is at church. For the first several months of her life, Emy could be dropped off in the church nursery and do just fine. About 6 weeks ago that all changed and she has wanted nothing to do with it. Every week we try again and about 5 minutes into the service we get a phone call to come get her because she is hysterical.

Yesterday we dropped her off and Steve went and got a seat in the sanctuary. We have decided that we are going to trade off who picks her up when she cries so that one of us can hear the sermon every other week. (The one who picks her up sits with her in a cry area with a TV broadcasting the sermon- it is just not the same). Anyways, this week was my week to get her so I opted to stay near the nursery for a few minutes rather than going and getting a seat only to have to turn around and come right back. So, I stood and watched my child panic and cry a terribly sad cry through the one-way glass in the nursery. The poor woman was walking with her and rocking her and Emy was only getting worse. I could see why they would get so frustrated and call us so quickly. At one point when Emy was not looking, I popped my head in and told another worker to try putting her in the swing, obviously the current strategy was not working. After a few seconds of screaming in the swing, she became distracted and stopped crying. Thinking we finally solved the puzzle, I went to find Steve in the sanctuary.

The first few minutes that passed in church I kept thinking, wow she is doing really well. When the worship portion was complete I found my thoughts had changed to worry. I was concerned that she was screaming again and they were trying to call me and couldn't for some reason. Right before the closing prayer to the service, my cell phone started to vibrate. I looked at the caller ID and sure enough- it was the church nursery. I went down to the nursery to find Emerson screaming and being held by a woman in the hallway. Apparently she had done really well the entire time. The workers tried to change hands at the end and Emy had a meltdown. The sweet woman in charge said to me, "She almost made it this time. Keep trying and she will get it someday". Easier said than done.

Love,
Sabrina