I thought I was ready.
We had talked about school for weeks, packed her bag together, and practiced our goodbye routine. My toddler was excited—until the first day came.

She cried.
Clung to me.
Refused to go in.

And suddenly, my heart felt like it was breaking.

The First Week: Sitting Just Outside

Those first few days were tough.
She wasn’t ready to be apart, and honestly, neither was I. I sat outside her classroom, listening to her sobs through the door. Every instinct in me said, “Go in. Take her back. This isn’t worth it.”

But I stayed.

I stayed because I knew she needed this, even if it was hard. I stayed because I wanted her to learn that I will always show up for her—even if that meant waiting outside until she felt safe.

It took about a week. A long, emotional, heart-wrenching week.
But one day, her tears slowed.
She took her teacher’s hand.
She turned back and looked at me.

And just like that, we both grew a little.

The Emotional Shift—for Both of Us

Preschool wasn’t just a milestone for her. It was one for me too.

• I had to let go—even when she cried.
• I had to trust strangers to comfort her.
• I had to believe she would be okay, even if I wasn’t in the room.

It wasn’t instant. It wasn’t easy.
But it was worth it.

Now, Weeks Later…

She walks in without hesitation.
She talks about her friends and teachers.
She sings songs I’ve never taught her and tells stories I wasn’t part of.

And me?
I still feel a twinge when I drop her off. But I also feel pride.
Because I watched her struggle—and then adjust.
Because I gave her space, and she found her strength.
Because I stayed outside, and she slowly stepped in.

To the Other Moms Sitting Outside the Door…

I see you.
It’s okay to cry after drop-off.
It’s okay to feel torn, unsure, even a little guilty.

Just know—adjustment takes time, and love can wait just outside the door.