Fall rituals

A sign of the times…
Fall Fall Fall- such a busy season in the family. Children are adjusting to the back to school schedules. Even though various reliable sources tell us Fall will occur in September this year at a specific time and on a specific day, I am here to tell you that Fall sweeps in on the tail of a flyer from school titled, “Open House”. Open house is an exciting event, full of opportunities to meet teachers, and to learn all about the what your child faces in the coming months, what they will learn, need, be expected to do. This critical information is relayed to parents in a five minute span, scattered throughout the evening as you traipse through your child’s schedule.
This year we only have 2 “real” schools to deal with, College being the 3rd- and it doesn’t count, because my child is developing her independence through her experiences there, and basically parents are not invited. Until tuition is due. Or books are needed.

When Middle school open house appeared on our refrigerator schedule, I was beside myself with excitement. How thrilling! What an opportunity!! If only. We have been so lucky over the years to have been offered this opportunity 56 times. As number 57 approached, I cornered my husband and said, “Hey honey, guess what is just too good to believe? We’ve got open house this week!” No reply. None……and I realized that I would be the only parent in the house available to attend. The challenge I faced was one of numbers. Two of our 4 children attend the same school. Now you may say, “Well, how, just how in the world can one parent play the part of two at Open House?” So, listen up, ‘cause here’s how it worked.

I sat in the pre-open house PTA meeting for just long enough for the lights to go out. Then I found Child A’s homeroom teacher, outside of her classroom, socializing with her peers as she awaited the onslaught of curious parents. I introduced myself, asked her how she liked working with the other core teachers, because I have heard so many wonderful things about them from my precious daughter. I then excused myself, and went to Child B’s homeroom teacher.

The point here is that my child’s homeroom teacher will mention to the other core teachers that I had some pleasant comments to say about them. This in itself is very valuable, because before the night is over, they will be riddled with comments and criticisms, and they will more likely recall the pleasant ones, especially the first one of the evening. This also produces a witness . The children are often given extra credit if parents attend. So, by interacting with one of the team, the others know I was there. Same deal with Child B’s homeroom. This leaves us only elective teachers to try to spot. I went straight to Band, the common thread among the two siblings, and in one fell, “So nice to meet you”, knocked our visiting targets down by 2. For the rest of the night, I skipped from one to the other. In the end I spent quality time with about 25 percent of the teachers I should have, but I actually touched base with all of them. I was able to leave 30 minutes early, beat the exit traffic and, still had time to swing by the grocery before coming home in time to put the kids to bed.

As soon as I opened the back door , both darlings came running with a pop quiz . “Did you see my teachers?” I answered honestly, “Yes, I sure did.” “Who did you see?” I scratched my chin, glanced up at the cobwebs in the corner of the room and said, “Let me see, there were so many I’m not sure I can remember them all. I spoke with Ms. Kinney, (homeroom) ,and Mr. Zany (homeroom ). Now, didn’t you think the music Mr. Jones picked out for the band is interesting?” Followed by,
“Sweet? Was it Social Studies or Math that you got that B on?”

This comment indicated, through assumption, that I had in fact seen both Math and Social Studies teachers. The other child asked the hardest question. “ Did you see ALL my teachers?” I smiled and hugged her and said, “ There sure is a school full of them, isn’t there?” Deception is not an active part of my parenting job, but there are times, where desperate times call for desperate measures.

After time and an increase of children in the household had set in, the oldest moved into High School, and came home with the Open House announcement, I was relieved to only have to play the part of one parent for one child. I will say, though, that the experience brought me to realize how times are changing in today’s world. I got ready to go, and my child hugged ME, told me to have a good time, explained where to go, and when to be there. Then she gave me HER cell phone and told me to call her when I needed her (the child) to come pick me up(the parent)after school. I walked to her school, thinking….Something is not quite right here. I’m the parent, walking to school, with my child’s cell phone. Now there’s a sign of the times for you.

Be careful what you ask...

Be careful what you ask, because you may get an unexpected answer.
Picking up the girls at Elementary school one day, in the car, “So How was your day? Anything special happen?” Rachel answered, “Well, I had to walk 5 laps on the playground today. I wasn’t thinking when I popped my lunch bag in the cafeteria today.” “Well, Rachel, what happened when you did that? Did anybody scream or cry?” “No, it just got real quiet, then my teacher looked at me and said 5 laps.” I helped her clean up her spilled lunch, tho’.”

Putting the foursome to bed one night, one of the girls asked, “ Mommy, who’s your favorite?” “Well, who do you think my favorite is?” They all answered, “me”. Once I caught my breath, I responded with,” You’re my favorite story teller, you’re my favorite cuddle bug, you’re my favorite fairness person, and you’re my favorite figure -outer.”

We were in the car one day and Mary said “You’re a good mom.” Rachel said, "You must be raising us right because we get along almost all of the time.”