I am always stunned everytime my daughter gives me that sad look and ask me that question. For working moms like me, it’s a little bit of torture. We all know that toddlers ask a thousand of questions everyday. Most of the inquisitions we can get away with a yes or no but what to answer when you are asked “Why do you work, mom?” or “Don’t you want to stay with me?” (that is her exact words).

At the doorstep, no matter how I may be late for the bus for work, I stoop down to her height level making sure our eye contact is present and explain to her that mom needs to work so that Akari (my daughter’s name)  can go to school. My mother smirks at how I have to be blunt but I know my daughter well. She is very intelligent and will not stop asking why, why and why if she is not satisfied with the answer. She loves school so much and all school stuffs, her pencils, her crayons and her cinderella bag. I told her we can’t have these things if mom don’t work then promise her when I come back we’ll have great fun together, remind her of the tossing on air plays and other circus acts we do. Then I get a smile and a kiss on the cheek and a gentle wave goodbye.