Back to school for the older kids today.
The Almost Kindergartener Formerly Known as the Preschooler Formerly Known as Busy Baby doesn't start until next week.
As usual, I went to the Welcome Back breakfast (no seriously, who says I don't report the Really Important Stuff That Matters &trade ?)
Kitten heels have given way to wedges that were ugly in the seventies when they first rolled around, but, not much has changed.
Or, has it?
I have an eighth grader, I've been around there as a parent for going on 9 years now (she started in kindergarten, wiseass).
Though many people have been around there a lot longer than that (hi, ya'll, I see you), it's gotten to where I don't really know any of the parents who are too young to have lived the wedge shoes thing the first time around (I see ya'll, too, hey there).
It's odd not recognizing people in a group where I'm used to knowing most everyone.
Furthermore, my peers and I have turned into the grizzled, cynical "parents of you know, the older kids" that we used to make fun of.
When Busy Girl first started kindergarten, I would look around at the other parents wondering what I was doing there will all those...adults.
They all wore that tired, bored, "been there, done that" look that I couldn't understand because, well, how could they do that when there was so much educational adventure in store for our kids?!
Besides, weren't they too old to be there? Those old folks needed to step down, and, take their attitude with them. We were there, now.
I mean, after all, what kind of parents were they that they didn't even get out of their cars at dismissal to find out what was "going on" at school?
They just like, sat there, and, stuff, waiting on their kids to come to the car. And, I think they may have even been wearing sweatpants that weren't designer.
Hello, nice to meet you, I'm "them", now. As a former parent that knew everything, I'm here to tell you, I'm not all that old, so shut up.
Nevermind the fact that Busy Girl's teacher is possibly, quite literally half my age (42).
Nevermind the fact that we will be kindergarten parents all over again next week, and, Busy Dad taught many of our fellow kindergarten parents when they were in high school.
I'm sure we aren't as disaffected as "those people" were back then.
Right? Right?
So, don't cross me, you whippersnappers, or, I'll toss my Geritol bottle at yer head.
No, I'm not his grandmother.
Have a nice school year.
*******
I have a new post at GNM Parents, and, Lindsay interviews someone you know here.
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- Busy Mom Blog: Now with more follow-up!
- The Great Healthcare -a-thon of aught-ten
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Goodness, you nailed it! I'm only almost 36, but I feel so OLD now, looking at all those doe-eyed mommies of junior kindergarten kids. And their energy makes me tired.
At our parish school it is a tradition that graduating 'parents' are given diplomas at a special Mass and breakfast that doubles as the 8th grade honors ceremony. So when your youngest or only graduates, so do you.
And tradition dictates that a few of the parents are invited to speak at the Mass... you know, the really old ones... the ones who've been around simply forever.
Last year, it was our turn... and after 18 years of kids in that school, yours truly was asked to say a few words....
The young parents could snicker all they wanted. I looked up what we paid in tuition 18 years ago... and then when I told them they were just jealous.
And, in the meantime, not too many years back, my wife and I were asked to help out with the parish centennial celebration. We were brought in as the young people. So, you see, you can still be young at heart... as long as everyone else in the room is older.
We're about to enter the world of "older" parents of a 3.5 year-old preschooler. Going on 42 & Hubby is going on 50. We meet the preschool teacher next week. I can just hear her... "it's so nice you grandparents could be here for this meeting, now where are the mom & dad?!"
LOVED Lindsay's interview article with you.
You da woman! I was thinking about that, actually, lurking around reading the various BlogHer recaps. You are The Original. Y'oughta put that up there in your heading. Of course you won't, but you deserve to!!
Rock on, BM.
We are fast approaching the age where we are "them". Zaphod graduates to the "big kid" uniform next year (6th grade).
I never get out of the car in pickup line :)
I was just having this EXACT conversation with my sister yesterday. We're old-timers too. Her 4-year-old just started school (she's 39) and my soon-to-be-3-year-old starts next year (I'll be 38). We'll be the maw-maw parents!
We're supposed to get out of the car?
Hell
I'm even feeling seasoned at the High School now - at least you still sorta have that "new school" thing to look forward too
Car, what car? Thank goodness my kids can walk to school. So I would not even have to get dressed if I didn't have to go to work..... someday my time will come, ---for now I'll just head out to the subway.
I really get where you are coming from with this! My son who started school where Miss 9 is going now, is now a SENIOR in high school, so that means i have had students at Miss 9's school for a loonnnggg time. These young chickies sending their kids to Kindergarten.. who don't know me, and don't know that I spent my three years as PTO Co-Prez already, and I've done my time on every blankity-blank committee already, and I've chaired every fundraiser- you, stop looking at me like I'm old already! Sheesh!
Great post! But wait... if your kids' teacher is half your age, and she's 42... doesn't that make you 84?? Or is it POSSIBLE that I read that wrong?! ;)
The interview at the Scene is fabulous! Now I'm really mad I missed BlogHer!
Wedge heels are out? Why didn't you tell me sooner? When I break my foot/ankle on kitten heels, will you come visit me?
I had no idea you were so famous. Pretty cool.
LOL! I brought my book to the "parent night" thing at my youngest's pre-school. We've been there for 4 years and the first half hour is the same every year.
I just figured, I'd sit in the back and read and when it came time to meet the teacher, I'd put the book away and go meet her.
So I did.
Oh yeah, I feel your pain! I was 41 and dh was 46 when our daughter started kindergarten--and our son started 10th grade. I still tend to hang with the parents of his friends, not hers.
Yep, wore the wedge heels the first time around and am doing it again.
I've got you beat in the "experienced" parent department though. My oldest is starting her second year of college on the 27th, and we'll be getting back on the kindergarten merry-go-round again in 2 years with P (he's a summer baby).
I figured out that by the time P graduates from high school, I will have had kids in school for over half of my life. I have to go feel REALLY old now...
Oh Yeah...I completely identify. All the moms in our current homeschool group are my eldest daughter's age. I am their substitute mother AND their equal. Too totally weird!
I totally get this!
And Geritol! I haven't seen a Geritol ad in ages but I remember it so I must be old (40 next month!!!)
I really enjoyed reading the column about you! It was great!
BTW, I'm a new kindergarten mommy at 30 and feel so much older than most of the moms there.
LOL, I see you mom's all over the place and wonder if I too will become the cynical type.
The age gap is interesting though. I'm 32 and my oldest daughter just turned 11, so most places I'm around parents 10-20 years older with children half my daughter's age. To say the least, it's difficult to find common ground and be social with them at all.
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