Today was my daughter’s first day at school. I dressed her up in a cute uniform dress, placed her brand new Hello Kitty backpack & matching lunchbox in her hand and headed to school. I’m an early bird, so I thought I would arrive early. I arrived to her school to find it swarmed with people. They must have given free lunch tickets to the first million without letting us newbies know. The traffic required I park a block away.
I hauled out the 50+ pounds of school supplies and carried them the block. Upon making it to the building, we were taken on a wild goose chase to find the correct class. I longed to set down the unbearable weight on my shoulder. Honestly, I would have donated the supplies to anyone willing to carry them.
After introductions, I reminded my daughter that no matter how much she wants to ride a bus, she is a car rider. I fill out the appropriate car rider forms, drop my supplies (which I labeled, because some people didn’t bring the WalMart school supply section with them), and kissed my Love Bug goodbye. I did reprimand a girl making fun of another young girl who was crying. I didn’t reprimand the boy standing at the teacher’s white board scribbling even though he should have been at the table. I didn’t because that boy’s parents were looking on without a touch of shock on their face (seriously, this isn’t a sign of art prodigy, tell your kid to sit down).
The day was busy, so honestly, I was okay. UNTIL pickup. The car line was crazy. Traffic backed up like Chick-Fil-A Appreciation Day. Drivers anxious to pick up their children found favorite school activities to occupy themselves like music (horn honking), sign language (finger gestures – not appropriate for Elementary School) and drivers ed (weaving & cutting people off).
Thirty-five minutes after joining the car line, I was within the “loop”. I was asked which child I wanted. I thought this a particularly interesting question. Honestly, you will give me whichever one I want? You don’t need identification of some type?? I gave him my daughter’s name and grade and proceeded in line. The next person asked again who I wanted. This gentleman began hollering for my daughter, but I could see the children at this point and my daughter was NOT there. Just as I thought, she has convinced them she is a bus rider. Who knows where she is.
Minutes later out of a door, came my Love Bug. She had a smile from ear to ear. I didn’t cry when I dropped her off, but to see her safe and happy after her first day made me so proud.
To all you parents, teachers, administrators & kids: You are in my prayers. May God bless you with a much smoother day 2!!
Ali Bragdon 