Every morning, when I drop my son at daycare, we have a long farewell ritual. It starts from a long tight hug from my son lasting half minute, follows a dozen kisses printed on my checks, and another dozen high fives on each hand, then both hands. We might need to repeat hug, kiss, and hi-fives for couple of times. His friends will come over, watch us, and some will come to hug and hi-five to me as well. Then he will join his friends, smiling, and says ‘bye-bye, mommy’ several times. Sometimes, he runs to the fence to see me leave. Sometimes, I almost cry…

A year and half ago, when he started, he cried so hard each morning. A teacher needs to hold him, and another separates his hands from my clothes, or hairs.