The Kindergarten War Zone

I took today off.  The day was supposed to be a lil' R&R.  But, if you know me, I can't relax unless I'm on vacation or in an unfamiliar place.  To literally sit around my own house is foreign idea - there's far too much to do & it's literally staring me in the face.  (Forget trying to watch a movie without getting up!)  My brain is constantly adding tasks to my mental to-do list...I'm serious, it never ends.  Hence, I don't sit around.

Back to PTO (paid time off) - I awoke at 5am to get milk & juice for the girls & jump into the shower.  I knew I had errands to do & I didn't want the "Saturday didn't really get dressed" look.  Plus, I had a lunch date with Zoey at school - gotta look good for Z's Kindergarten class!  LOL!

Before I could get to lunch - mind you, at 10:30am, we're talking Kindergarten lunch - I had to errands to run & a special lunch to pick up.  Karli also joined us for lunch - she was SO excited to eat with the big kids. 

So I pick up Karli, we get our 'Visitor' sticker (she was so proud) and we head for the cafeteria.  Before I got in, I could see Zoey looking out the door to see if I was coming - she was so happy to have lunch together her teacher had shared with me.  (I love that teacher & I email often enough to feel quite familiar.)  Karli & I wound our way to the long rolling table where Zoey is parked.  I sat across from Zoe, while her sister sat next to her.  I barely sat down & the shots started firing....

"Zoey's mom - do you know my name?" 

"Excuse me, Zoey's mom - I have a little sister named Zoey"

"Zoey's mom - do you like pizza?"

"Zoey's mom - I'm allergic to cats"

Zoey's mom, Zoey's mom, Zoey's mom......

I hardly had a chance to talk to Zoey.  Our lunchdate felt more like a lunch speed-date.  Perhaps I never realized, as a child, how quickly our conversations "shot" across the tables at lunch.  In one small moment, I did hear Zoey tell a little girl (referring to me), "you can call her Miss Courtney."  I thought that was cute.

Remember how I said I don't sit around??  Well, after my experience of dodging all the Kindergarten bullets of crazy questions & comments....my feet are up & I'm consciously relaxing. 

What's your war zone you need to recover after?

Call Me Old-Fashioned

Since when did a kid having an iPhone, a catered 3rd birthday party, Marc Jacob attire, a TV in their room and brand new EVERYTHING become ok?  What happen to the days of hand-me-downs, sharing a room, watching TV with the family & not getting everything a kid cries out, "I want!" become old-fashioned?

I went to Dunkin Donuts this morning (before school sans kiddos) to pick up food for a breakfast meeting.  As I'm waiting for my buckets of joe, a mom walked in with her school-aged daughter (probably about 1st grade).  The daughter was watching/playing something on an iPhone.  Gosh forbid, she stand patiently like a little lady!  Upon receiving their order - each in separate bags since kiddo was off to school - and starting to walk out, I hear mom say, "Don't forget your phone."  I thought to myself 'YOUR PHONE'?!?!  But what cracked me up was the lady behind them commented what I was thinking.  Hilarious sista!

Don't get me wrong, to each his own - though I will state my case since this is MY blog.

Being a working mom, I can fully understand the guilt of wishing I could spend more time with my kiddos.  However, I resist the urge to give my kids everything because of MY guilt.  How much more guilt will I have if I help create a completely self-centered, demanding, parent-mooching, unappreciative member of society that doesn't feel he/she needs to contribute?  Let alone, he/she feels entitled.  And if that doesn't make you think, consider this....how is that adult child going to treat me when I'm older?

I see it like this - if I'm demanding and clear on what I expect my child to do and give and act like as a little person - I'm doing my best to create a better kid that will give & appreciate more as an adult.  Despite, it's easier to herd them now than later. 

Frankly, this post is starting to scare me.  20 years from now.....oh my!  

You scared....or feeling guilty?