Tyson Grows Up (a little) and Mommy Gets Choked Up (a lot)

Tyson started school over 15 weeks ago. For 14 weeks I have walked him into school EVERY morning. (All of the kindergarten and 1st grade wait in the cafeteria at their assigned table until the teacher comes down to get her class.) Tyson insisted that I sit with him at his table until Mrs. Heinze came down. After about a month we graduated to me just walking him to the doors of the cafeteria. That was ok except for the fact that I was still walking 300 yards each way after checking in at the front office with Emmy on my hip to drop him. It got old. Especially when it was raining. So Paul and I began suggesting (with Tyson you have to suggest, you can't just demand) that maybe it was time for the "car drop off" line. To say he was not receptive is an understatement. With big tears in his eyes, "no Mommy I can't do it. I need you to walk me in." Now keep in mind that he LOVES school and wants to go every morning. So we didn't see why this was so hard for him. So I continued to walk him in and didn't bring up the car line anymore.

Well, last Monday it was chilly and wet outside and I did not want to get out with Em. So I did it. I did the unthinkable. I told him over his breakfast that this morning we were going to do the car drop off line. I explained it was cold, Emmy was getting over a runny nose, and I didn't think it was good to get her out so we needed to do this. He teared up a little and said no. But I quickly cut him off and told him if he did it I would get him a surprise. No judging. BRIBERY. When all else fails it always works. And if he did it for 5 days he could get a better surprise. Tyson is a creature of habit. For him it's what he gets used to doing and it's so hard to change.
He reluctantly agreed to the terms of our deal. We pulled up to the school in the car drop line, I slowed to a stop, the little safety patrol girl opened the door and just like that he was gone with a quick "I love you" exchanged. I watched him walk in and attempted to pull forward except that I couldn't.....my eyes were so full of tears I couldn't see in front of me. "Mommy, what matter?" asked Emmy. Mommy's ok baby......Tyson is just a big boy now. I just couldn't understand how something I had been wanting for so long could hurt so bad. At least, I thought I wanted it.

We've been doing the car drop line since then (almost 2 weeks). He walks in like he owns the place now with a big smile. And I have yet to drop him and drive off with dry eyes. It's getting better. Today I just teared up for a sec and was fine by the time I pulled into the drive way.

I guess we know where Tyson gets him emotions from.