Thursday Thoughts- So, so small!

Why is it with every milestone my children reach they look smaller?

Seriously.

This past Tuesday, after begging to do this all year, and of course, being encouraged by The Hub, who was absolutely NOWHERE around to facilitate this event, my son rode his bike to school. Now, that may not seem like a big deal, but when he's only in third grade and has to cross a major road with FIVE LANES OF TRAFFIC, this becomes the point where I think I need a sedative. I was a wreck all morning, well into the day, and frankly, getting him home wasn't a picnic either.

My son, on the other hand, did amazingly well. He used the cross walks, obeyed the traffic signals, looked both ways every time. My other mommy friends were watching him and helping him along too. All eight of us were beaming with pride. Well, they were beaming. I was ready to puke.

You would think I could cut the cord by now, but I have to tell you, he looked entirely too small next to those cars. I don't think this is going to happen again until at LEAST college.

If he's lucky.

Yours, knowing the days are long, but the years are so, so short,

Melissa

UH OH, THE TEACHER WANTS TO SEE ME!

Why is it that when my kid’s teacher asks to see me, I feel like I’m the one who did something wrong? For a split second, I wonder what I did! Then, when I snap back to reality, I wonder what my kid did wrong. And in the next split second, I’m back to wondering what I did wrong, because, after all, if my son did something, I’m sure I’m to blame somehow. Right?

Okay, that was confusing! But the question is this: Am I the only one who feels like I am being reprimanded by the teacher when she talks to me about my child? Why do I feel like I’m back in elementary school, sitting in those little chairs, with the teacher, glasses on the tip of her nose, shaking her finger at me? (Okay, maybe that’s just MY visual, but it’s how it makes me feel!)

Teacher: Your son is not following directions.

Translation in my head: You’re a terrible mother. You let your son play too many video games.

Teacher: He talks too much in class.

Translation: You’re a terrible mother. You let him eat too much candy.

Teacher: He doesn’t pay attention during class discussions.

Translation: You’re a terrible mother. He doesn’t get enough sleep.

You get the idea. No matter what she says, automatically I’ll think it’s my fault.

So today, I’ll be sitting in my son’s classroom, trying not to feel like a complete failure of a parent. Who knows, maybe she’s calling me in to tell me what a wonderful and exemplary child I have.

Do teachers ever do that???????

Karen