• My husband and I recently left our daughter with someone who wasn't family for the first time. • As a former nanny, I've been on the other end of this scenario. • I thought it would be harder to leave her with a babysitter, but I relished the parental milestone.

"Have fun, we'll be home by 11. Help yourself to anything in the fridge," I said to the babysitter as I sauntered out the door for a rare, long-awaited date night. An hour later, I clinked glasses with my husband and sipped Prosecco before the Philharmonic. I'd left my 16-month-old baby with another woman for the first time and was overcome with emotion.

"Are you OK?" My husband asked.

"No —" I started, as I ate a French fry soaked in ketchup. "I'm…great!"

I thought it would be harder to leave my daughter with a babysitte

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