Re-Posting: Confession Time: Field Day Sucks

I originally published this post two years ago, and I'm re-posting it today in honor of Lucy & Connor's field day, which is today. Bethany is now in middle school, where they no longer "celebrate" field day. The truth is, Lucy and Connor do love field day, with no convincing whatsoever needed from me. With face painting and bounce houses, it is a far cry from the torture I endured as a child. Maybe next year I'll volunteer at school for Field Day, and finally make peace with my past.


Today is Field Day at Bethany and Connor's school. You know, that super fun day where all the students in the whole school hang out in the field all day long and play games and do all kinds of physical activities to prove their athletic prowess and let their competitive streaks run wild. I've been all about pumping them up for Field Day. 

"Oh boy guys, Field Day is coming up, aren't you excited?"

"Are you looking forward to Field Day? It's going to be SO FUN!"

"Field Day is gonna be awesome, don't you think?"

They were perhaps marginally looking forward to a day of no school work, but they weren't exactly jumping up and down in anticipation when I dropped them off at school this morning. And I have no idea why I've been feigning excitement about Field Day because the truth is I absolutely hated Field Day when I was a kid. No really, hated it. If ever there was a day that I prayed for sickness, even within a week or so of Field Day in the hopes of at least scoring a doctor's note excusing me from the "festivities", that was it. I was perhaps the most un-athletic kid ever.

Maybe because I dreaded Field Day every year, for some reason I really want my kids to love it. But I can't blame them if they don't. I can't undo the shame of my childhood by living vicariously through my offspring. Oh well, doesn't mean I won't keep trying.

What about you? Was Field Day your favorite day of the year, or did you hate it too?

Thankful Thursday

In the spirit of Teacher Appreciation Week, I am going to take this opportunity to carry on about how thankful I am for the teachers involved in my children's educational journey this year. I'm feeling blessed that my kids are being well cared for by incredibly giving teachers while they are away from me for many hours each week.

My love of our chosen preschool for Mathilda (and all of our children) is no secret. I drive 10.5 miles each way, passing several other preschools along the way, to send my baby girl to the school that I know is the best choice for her. The teachers are what make her school so special. I am so thankful to my friend who first introduced me to the school, and for these two wonderful teachers who have introduced all of my children into the world of being students.

Today I had the pleasure of being a guest at preschool for Mother's Day tea, just one example of Mathilda's teachers going far and above the call of duty to make this first experience with school as special and magical as possible. The kids sang, danced, made us beautiful gifts, and served us lunch that they helped to prepare. If you follow me on Instagram, you can see some pictures. Unfortunately I remain technically challenged and do not know how to get photos from Instagram onto Blogger.

I have been so blessed this year because Connor and Lucy both have teachers who are perfectly suited to their personalities. Lucy is like a delicate, fragile little flower who needs someone gentle and sweet. She has a wonderful teacher who just gets her and treats her exactly as she needs to be treated. Connor tends to get a little frazzled and sets really high standards for himself. His awesome teacher is mellow and kind and helps keep him grounded when he starts to get wound up a little too tight. They are both dedicated ladies and I'm so grateful that my kids were assigned to their classrooms.

Connor's teacher is hosting a Mother's Day Poetry Cafe tomorrow afternoon, where all of us moms and special loved ones will get to hear our kids recite poetry that they've written themselves, and enjoy some light refreshments. Again, I know this kind of thing takes effort and time far beyond the hours spent in the classroom.

Now that Bethany is in middle school, I don't have as much interaction with her teachers as I did when she was in elementary school. But I have found all of her teachers as a whole to be very organized, helpful, and responsive. They have each helped to make Bethany's transition into middle school a very smooth one. They all keep careful track of student grades online on the Parent Portal, so it's easy to see how Bethany is doing in her classes at any given time. I realize this takes a lot of time outside of the classroom, and I'm so thankful that they take the time to do it. Bethany is the type to email  her teachers if she has any issues with homework or anything else, and they have been really good about getting back with her and addressing her concerns. One teacher even sends out frequent email updates to parents, which I absolutely love. He takes the time to let us know when big tests are coming up, when he's going to be out of the classroom, and to remind us it's time to turn in fundraiser money. As our kids get older, being involved in their education is still important. Thankfully our middle school teachers seem to understand that!

Teachers give so much of themselves to their students. They work long hours, and wear many hats throughout the school day...educator, counselor, mediator, and many more. They also spend a lot of their own money to make their classrooms inspiring learning environments. Today I'm feeling thankful for all my kids' teachers do for them.

What are you thankful for today?

Do you love your child's teacher(s)?

Are your kids doing any special Mother's Day things for you at school?

Seven Years Until College

Bethany is officially a middle school student, which means we have just seven short years to figure out how we're going to pay for college. In theory, that sounds like a long time. But the sad reality is that it sure doesn't feel like it's been six years since she started kindergarten, so I'm sure these next seven years are going to fly by just as quickly. I'm not anxious for any of my kids to grow up, but I suppose I should get my head out of the clouds and at least start thinking about the cold hard facts. College tuition has increased astronomically since I graduated, and I'm sure the situation will be even more dire by the time Bethany is heading off to the big house. And Connor, Lucy, and Mathilda will be following her in quick succession.

I'm pretty sure winning the lottery is not the most reliable plan for financing four college educations. A better bet would be for our kids to keep their grades up so they can qualify for scholarships. Especially now that Bethany is in middle school, we are really trying to emphasize the importance of good grades. I know it doesn't count that much until high school, but she needs to be setting the foundation for high school right now.

Thank goodness for the all-knowing internet. Without it, I'm sure I'd find it a whole lot more difficult to find information about scholarships and educational grants. No, I'm not putting the cart before the horse. But it's reassuring to know that when the time comes, I'll have resources at my fingertips for finding the best options for my kids.

 

Confession Time: Field Day Sucks

Today is Field Day at Bethany & Connor's school. You know, that super fun day where all the students in the whole school hang out in the field all day long and play games and do all kinds of physical activities to prove their athletic prowess and let their competitive streaks run wild. I've been all about pumping them up for Field Day. 

"Oh boy guys, Field Day is coming up, aren't you excited?"

"Are you looking forward to Field Day? It's going to be SO FUN!"

"Field Day is gonna be awesome, don't you think?"

They were perhaps marginally looking forward to a day of no school work, but they weren't exactly jumping up and down in anticipation when I dropped them off at school this morning. And I have no idea why I've been feigning excitement about Field Day because the truth is I absolutely hated Field Day when I was a kid. No really, hated it. If ever there was a day that I prayed for sickness, even within a week or so of Field Day in the hopes of at least scoring a doctor's note excusing me from the "festivities", that was it. I was perhaps the most un-athletic kid ever.

Maybe because I dreaded Field Day every year, for some reason I really want my kids to love it. But I can't blame them if they don't. I can't undo the shame of my childhood by living vicariously through my offspring. Oh well, doesn't mean I won't keep trying.

What about you? Was Field Day your favorite day of the year, or did you hate it too?

The Cut

A couple weeks ago Bethany and her friend auditioned for the school talent show together. The try-outs were held after school, and there was quite a crowd gathered to watch. They sang...not lip synced but truly sang, and they did such a great job I was absolutely glowing. The next day the list of those who made it was posted, and Bethany and her friend were not on the list. There were lots and lots of tears. Oh my girl was bitterly disappointed. Of course we told her how proud we were for her effort and hard work and sheer guts to get up and sing in front of lots of people, and just for trying. But it hurt, for her and for us.

Bethany is in fourth grade, and she does not attend a performing arts school; just a regular old public elementary school. Which is why I have a bit of a problem with the way the school handles their annual talent show. I think it is somehow sending these kids the wrong idea. If they have the courage and the desire to get up on a stage and perform, shouldn't they be given that chance? Because if they don't make the cut, in the safety of the elementary school environment, might their spirits be broken? Might they give up and, maybe out of embarrassment or a feeling of failure or humiliation, never try again? I don't like it. If you can't make the elementary school talent show, are you going to try out for the middle school play, even if you really want to? A certain kind of kid would not. A kid like I was, for instance. But maybe giving anyone who wants to the chance to be in the show would give those kids who choose to participate a little boost of confidence that might encourage them to try other things too. What is the benefit of squashing that desire and confidence in so many kids, other than a shorter talent show?

There is more to the story. Like that there was a "no exception" deadline for the talent show audition permission slips to be turned in, yet an exception was made on the day of try-outs, and the girl whose mother complained and whined enough (I can only presume) to get the powers that be to ignore the "no exception" part of the deadline tried out and got in. And that my daughter and her friend were the next in line to make the cut (they go by a points system with judges), so they were in effect booted by the rule breaker. By the way, the kids had weeks to get their permission slips in. Weeks. Yet because this young lady had a dentist appointment (so I've heard) on the last day the slips were to be accepted, an exception was made. I'm not sure what her excuse was for not having turned it in prior to that day.

So we have another great lesson for our kids. Ignore deadlines and due dates. Why not?

This particular story does have a happy ending, because Bethany came home from school the other day bursting with the news that someone dropped out of the show, so she and her friend are now in. Of course they now have about two weeks less practice time than the other participants, but nonetheless they are thrilled. And I am happy for them but I'm still feeling odd about this talent show by try-out in elementary school. Maybe I'm crazy. I don't know. I didn't post anything about this before because I didn't want to seem bitter just because my kid didn't make it, but now she did make it. Make of it what you will.

*Disclaimer: I don't begrudge the rule-breaker her chance to be in the talent show too. I just A) don't understand the whole trying out thing, and B) don't understand the point of handing out permission slips that clearly state that there will be "no exceptions" to the due date if you are actually willing to disregard the due date.