Month: September 2014

Yesterday as I was tucking my oldest who is 5 in she said very matter of factly, “Mom I will never be a bully”.  I wanted to be sure I understood her so I said “Did you say bully sweetie?” Yes mom she replied.  “Today at school we read a book about bullies and I will never be one.”  I said “Do you understand what a bully is?”  Yes-someone who picks on their friends or is mean to them.  I gotta admit this was the proudest I have ever been of her in one day she had made a decision to not be part of the crowd to be apart from if need be to stand up for herself and her friends.  The next thing she said blew me away I asked what she would do if she saw a bully.  “I would tell them No don’t be mean to my friend or me and I would tell someone.”  I hugged her like I never wanted to let go and told her she was the coolest kid I’ve ever known.. she has this kind soul and amazes me at her poise at such a young age.  So the moral of this is it is never to early to start having conversations that could change your life or the life of someone else.

Our daughter started Kindergarten in August and I'll admit I had many emotions ranging from will I like her teacher to will she be safe.  After attending her schools kick off dinner and open house I now know how much she loves it and my anxiety had gotten a bit better.  What I didn't expect to be the most stressful part of the day-the after school pick up line.  My husband and I both agree, it's insane.  If you get there early you sit in your car and wait forever for the people ahead of you to get their kid.  If you park and walk up then you are bombarded by parents you may never be friends with and some you wish to avoid.  For example the mom who has given you the cold shoulder at three kids birthdays and is snobby every time you try to start a conversation she is looking at you with that smug smile saying a short, very insincere  "Hello."  I used to think I had to be friends with everyone but I learned I don't and some people will never like me nor I them but having to interact with them in this setting is interesting.  So the other option is go a few minutes late and if you time it right you may catch your kid right when they come out-wrong then someone had to go potty and your stuck waiting making idle chit chat in the hot sun while your brain is saying "I should have just done the car line."  Or worse your kid is the last one standing there and says "mom I was waiting and waiting for you, dad or sissy".  So I will still do the pick-up because I adore my kid but I don't have to like it, right?  Can anyone else relate?