Ohmer House: I dropped Mia off at school half an hour ago. In all the times either CJ or I have taken Mia to school, only a handful of drop off's have gone without her crying. Today, both Mia and I cried. When she woke up yesterday morning, she was running a fever of 102. This is her third ear infection this year. I'm sure it's from swimming. I told her teacher that if she still had a fever today I would keep her home. She woke up happy, no fever. I felt relieved. I look forward to the days that she attends school. I can use the six hours to myself to read, go shopping, clean the house or see a movie. When I washed her hair in shower she recoiled when i lathered on her left side (the infected side). I told myself she just doesn't want to go to school because she never really wants to go to school. Truthfully, I suspect she still doesn't feel good. Nevertheless, I willfully kept her on track to get to school on time. She started crying in the car. Streaks of tears lay in contrast to the dry skin on her cheeks. I told myself, all kids hate school. She'll be fine. When we arrived I grabbed her backpack and lunchbox in one hand and scooped her up with my free arm. Her crying intensified. I thought to myself, what will her teachers think? Will they think I'm selfish? The sidewalk was crowded with other families dropping off their children. Mia was the only one crying. I could see the empathetic looks on other parents faces. Leaving your children is difficult for everyone. I opened the glass door and set her down inside. I took a step to follow her but instead she turned around and held a stiff arm to my thigh. Still crying she grabbed her backpack and lunchbox with one hand and pushed me away with the other. Her teacher for the day led her inside while I stood frozen. What does Mia think? Does she think I don't care about her?