School Complaints, My Issues, and New Routines

I'm full with so many different emotions that I had to take a moment out of this busy Friday morning to release.  By the way, I just updated the "Festivals" link so you may want to head on over to check out the happenings for this weekend.

School Complaints

The kids are adjusted and in school with minimal complaints so I think we can say it's been a successful week.  The only complaints I have heard are:

A) We don't get to play outside for very long
B) In 1st grade you starve
C) Why don't we have any play dates anymore?

My answers to these complaints are:

A) Speak with your teacher about that
B) I'm sure you're not starving because Daddy makes sure you eat a balanced breakfast each morning (he makes breakfast, I don't :)
C) You have a play date EVERYDAY at school (Really????)


My youngest went from spending three days, nine hours in school to spending five days, 20 hours in school and I have not heard ONE complaint from him.  It must be a boy/girl thing.  I have found that girls are so melodramatic and boys are so low key.  I'm not sure how I would handle having two or more girls.  I don't know how my mother did it with three.  I think I should call and apologize to her.

I've come to learn that hearing the phrase, "Mommy can we..." the moment my child gets off the bus stresses me out at times. "Mommy, what are we going to do tomorrow?" is also a stress point.  We are trying to teach our children to live in the moment. To enjoy life as it unfolds.  It is good to plan, but that's what parents are for.  Why are kids so worried about what's going to happen next?

Establishing Routines

I must say that we have the nighttime routine down.  The kids know what to expect. They may not always want to start the routine, but once we're in motion they know what to do.  We are establishing an after school routine.  Last year, I would allow my daughter to chill out right after school and have a snack, watch 30 minutes of TV to unwind.  I also found that it was hard to break her out of the TV trance and do homework.  This year, she comes in and gets a snack and sits down to do her homework right away.  I tell her that once youre homework is done, you can do anything you want.  Hopefully this sticks with her for the rest of her academic life.

Open House

Our school's Open House was last night and I must say it was very well attended.  A few parents didn't show up which could be due to work obligations. The presentations by the school staff and Principal were great.  I'm excited to learn about all of the opportunities and services the children are provided.

We visited the classroom and I was pleasantly surprised to learn that there are only 20 children in my daughter's class.  The teacher said the kids wondered where the blocks and toys were.  This isn't Kindergarten anymore.  It's time to learn, baby!  Aside from the huge blippin' mosquito flying around the room, all eyes were on the teacher who I have hear was phenomenal!  My neighbor's daughter had her so the validation that I received from her was just what I was looking for.

I'm the class mom which is something I've never done before. I did have a slight anxiety attack, which I kept inside, when the parents started filling out their forms and returning them to me.  Don't they know I have this aversion to paper?  Now I've volunteered for a job that encourages stacks of paper!!!  I've seen it done enough at the various preschools my children have attended.  I think I'm up for the task.  I recruited my friend who also has a son in the class to co-class mom (LOL) with me.  I also invited other moms to assist if they want.  I know it's a huge responsibility and many can't manage to full-time due to work obligations.  I'm sure there's plenty of work to spread around.  I also have this awesome idea that I want to present to the PTA.  I hope it works.  It's a program that I've had in the back of my mind that could work in all schools.  Stay tuned!





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