"Mom, do you know _______?"

So, parenting sometimes feels like a series of mini-heartbreaks, different stages of independence and letting go. My kids are in summer school this summer. Due to schedules, my husband drops them off and picks them up. I get to drop off and pick up once every two weeks. Needless to say, I am a little out of touch. So, it's breaks my heart a little when we sit down to dinner and the kids ask me, "Do you know Abby" or "Do you know Ms. Lynn". I have to say no and then ask them to tell me about this person who very well may spend more time with my child during the weekday than I do.

Recently, my boss teased me for making my families dinners and lunches. I guess when you're at my level, you have a stay at home spouse (like he does) or the part-time person takes on these duties. I didn't have the heart to confess that I make their lunches as a small gesture to make sure they know I think about them, even though I am not around when they wake up in the morning and only see them for a couple of hours in the evening.

My mom tells of how she used to sit next to kids with homemade lunches and was envious. Her mom worked and did not make her lunch. My mom says she would have felt more loved if she felt her mom prepared her lunch. Frankly, my kids would probably love Lunchables five days a week, but it makes me feel good when I pack fresh fruit in season or cut up veggies with dressing. Sometimes I sneak in a little treat or a simple heart or smiley face. It's probably more for me than for them . . .