Amber Johnston is helping her daughter Liz through a tough transition.
In a clip shared exclusively with PEOPLE ahead of the Tuesday, Jan. 21 episode of 7 Little Johnstons, Liz shares her difficulties with leaving daughter Leighton, whom she welcomed in November 2023, at home with her mom Amber while she heads back to work for the first time.
“I definitely know what Elizabeth is going through. You know, when Jonah and Elizabeth were born, they did not go to daycare,” Amber explains in a joint confessional with Liz. “I stayed at home, but there was times where I would have to leave one of them. And it’s super hard because as a mom, nobody else can do it like you. And nobody can do it as good as you.”
Amber and Liz also discuss why the transition is so hard for the new mom.
“It’s hard, but you will survive, I promise,” Amber tells her daughter. “And as she gets older, it’ll get easier.”
“That’s the thing,” Liz says. “She’s still a baby. It’s different when they’re a toddler.”
“But at the end of the day, it’s what’s best because you need to be able to work and to have social time, but also to be able to provide,” Amber replies.
Holding her daughter, Liz cuddles Leighton and coos at her, telling her that everything she’s doing is for her.
“Fortunately, you’re getting to leave her here and not take her into daycare,” Amber says.
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“Too risky for daycare right now,” Liz adds.
Back in the confessional, Liz explains that she’s very grateful for her parents’ support since her daughter had a few health scares.
“I mean, I am super grateful to have my parents here to be watching over her because I was really not ready for the daycare just because she is on the smaller side,” Liz says, adding, “I don’t want to be that obnoxious person calling up there every 20 minutes asking if she’s okay because that’s what I would have done.”
As she starts to leave the house, Liz has some troubles actually walking out the door – despite her mom telling her it’s time to leave.
“I expect a picture every hour,” Liz says. “I’ll be here on my lunch break between 1 and 2.”
“Even if she’s screaming, I’ll take a picture,” Amber promises.
“We got this. Got to work. Take care of your patients,” Amber adds as she and her granddaughter say goodbye to Liz.
7 Little Johnstons airs Tuesdays at 10 p.m. ET on TLC.