It’s always been really important to us to have Parker around other kids her own age. When I was working, I applied for group day care as soon as we got pregnant and was promptly put on a long wait list. J Now that I’m home with her, I make sure everyday we have a play date, group class, park visit or story time to attend.  Parker is one social butterfly…as long as mommy is her wing man.  So this co-op is a new experience for her.  Two hours two times a week, sometimes without mom.

Leading up to the big day, I talked about how much fun it was going to be, how many friends she’d make, that she’d get yummy snacks and that I’d come back to pick her up when it was all done.  Today, my adorable 16 month old toddler popped out of her stroller, sippy cup in hand and walked into her first day of cooperative playgroup without glancing back at me.

OK, she eventually looked to see if I was still there, but she was a natural!  It was mom who felt awkward.  I guess I should have been giving myself pep talks.  I didn’t know what to do with my empty hands as I walked home.  And once I got there, the silent house felt strange.  I still raced through my shower just in case I got the call she needed me and after I cleaned up her breakfast, I didn’t know what to do.  I had had fantasies of what I would do with these two hours to myself but they were all failing me now.  Apparently, this co-op experience was new for me too!

When I went back to pick her up, she was happily involved with some friends and it took her a minute to see me.  When she did, she threw her hands in the air as she ran over to me breaking the silence of my past two hours with new sounds that were music to my ears, “mama mama mama!”

-Jolynn is a Sitter2mom, fitness professional, and mother of Parker. Her and her husband moved to D.C. about a year ago from the big city!