Stuck Behind the School Bus

Being 'stuck' behind the school bus can be irritating.  When you have a place to be at for a particular time, usually it's when you're running late, it's never convenient.  But I find myself directing my attention towards those kiddos running to the bus, and climbing the big steps and finding their saved seat by their best friend. 

Meanwhile the parents wait along the side of the bus stop with their coffee in hand and their faces not looking quite awake.  Some have cars parked at the edge of the road and the engine is running.  The parent waves to their child, but I never see if the child is waving back.  I'm stuck behind the bus.  But I see the parents waving and waving and waving.

I don't remember this being the scenario when I rode the school bus.  In fact, I don't remember any parent being at the bus stop waiting for the bus.  The kids even had a longer walk to the bus stop, which was usually along a busy main road.  And there were no parents there waving to us.  I actually don't think kids wanted their parents there.  It just wasn't cool, I suppose.

In a few years my kid will be entering first grade.  He's only 2 now, but I think about the day he'll have and the morning of his 'first day of school'.  Will he be nervous or just plain excited to actually ride the school bus.  He loves seeing those school buses riding around town.  He loves any bus actually: grey, blue, or yellow, it doesn't matter.  It's a bus.

He may prove me wrong and just have a melt down right there on the side of the road, with all the kids staring with their noses pressed flat against the window.  I may actually be that parent that skips the school bus option and drive my kid to school.  Maybe. 

Being stuck behind a school bus isn't fun.  But I do have fun imagining our future of those cool early mornings while waiting for the school bus.

The Birds

The Birds sit outside their window and the class of children become giddy.  It's just a hole in the brick wall, really, how many birds can fit in there?  It's that small, but it's enough to thrill the children and have big discussions about these birds that live outside their window. 

Where could have the birds gone?

They're too high and we can't reach them.

I can't reach them!  As one boy hangs onto the window's ledge.

Perhaps they went to find some food?  I ask one of the boys.  His eyes widen and I can see he's trying to imagine The Birds out gathering their breakfast.  They'll be back I say.  That seems to calm his fears of not seeing The Birds again.

Swim Lessons

I registered my son for swimming lessons.  He's only 22 months old but I've heard it's never too early to start.  I'm not looking for him to reach the Olympics.  I'm hoping he, eventually, will learn life saving skills and techniques while in the water.  I don't want my son afraid of the water or ever feel like he can't go into the deep end of the pool because he doesn't know how to swim.

I'm not the best swimmer.  In fact, I float with some movement.  It's enough to get me by.  It's all about the journey anyways, right?  I don't really have a destination when I swim, but more recreational.  So that's the least I can expect what my son will learn, right?  Or so I hope so.

Our first lesson was on Sunday. 

The water was cold.

He doesn't like cold water.

Out... OUT! he cried for 20 minutes.

We bobbed, we sang, we splashed... he cried.

Then we each received a ducky and a whole knew game started, and my son decided he wanted to play.

Five minutes later the class was over and he clapped and cheered YAY!  He said he had fun and that's all that matters.

I asked Do you want to come back to pool again?

YEAH! he squealed.

After taking a quick warm shower to heat our chilly buns, we dressed and went home to tell Daddy the news.

Swim lessons was fun and we'll do it again. =)

Other Parents

Every morning I drop off my 22 month old son at his school.  The school watches kids between the ages of 6 weeks to 5 years old.  So there is a wide range of children scooting, walking, and running around excited to start their day of play.  Of course there is learning going on, but really, it's mostly play. 

Every afternoon I pick up my 22 month old son from his school.  If it's a nice day out, I can find him in the playground, usually covered in dirt.  Somehow the dirt is caked onto his skin.  How does this happen?  However if the weather isn't the best, the kids are inside one of the classrooms playing or exploring.

Each of these mornings and afternoons I usually see the same parents picking up and dropping off.  I assume that they all have jobs to get to, since they're dressed rather nicely.  Some look like they're dressed for the gym, well, maybe that's where they work.  In either case, I leave my son at his school and as I pull out of the parking lot, I reflect on these other parents and the roles they play outside their homes.  Are they business owners, executives, bankers, coaches, or retail associates?  At the point of which we say goodbye to our kiddos, is the point where we place a new hat on our heads and gear up for the day ahead. 

As I pass each parent I either nod or say Hi.  We'll hold doors open for each other or give soothing smiles when our little one isn't ready to say goodbye. 

The commonality of our roles is the same, we're Moms, Dads, or another caregiver to these children.  We put our trust into these schools and daycares to ensure our children get the best care.  We trust these teachers and set our fears aside and buckle up for the workday ahead. 

Even though I don't have a chance to socialize with these other parents, I do think of them often.  I wonder if they had the kind of morning we had and if their kid made it a point to wear his rubber boots instead of his sneakers.  At the end of the day, I hope they're able to put their crazy work day aside once they see their kids and greet them with warm, fresh hugs and kisses.

I've been thinking about this a lot lately, and I'm not sure why. 

Beginning to end, and a new beginning

It's been 1.5 months in a new school.  We've met new friends, read new books, and played new games.  It's been fun, and it's come to an end.

I knew this was coming.  I knew it would be hard.  I just never prepared for it.  But looking into the future I see more fun days and silly grins.  I see a kid who will keep on playing.  I suppose I'm the one who has to deal with the emotions of the ending and a new beginning. 

The beginnings will be good.  The beginnings will be fun.  I do know this, and so will he.

Honesty is the best policy

I'm not a good liar.  I become too guilty when I try to lie.  People can see right through me.  So please, don't ask me to lie, ever. 

Apparently there are people who feel there is nothing wrong with lying.  They live their lies until they've become a reality.  But it's never really real, is it?  If you're living the lie, how could it be real?  Especially when there are multiple lies told and there are multiple people involved who are also being lied to, that's never a good combination.  The liar is always caught in their lies.  It may take time, but karma comes back. 

So if you lie, or are thinking about lying.  Please... PLEASE... think about why you're lying. 

I send my 19 month old son to a school five days a week.  I have to work, so he goes to school.  He loves the kids there.  Unfortunately there have been lies from the caregivers.  Lies about the laws, the rules, and the regulations.  The parents were kept in the dark with a lot of things, but after all the mothers received a call from the state, we have uncovered too many horrifying evidence of lies.  I do blame myself for not investigating things earlier on.  I wish I had been more involved with doing background checks.  I wish things didn't have to end, for the sake of the kids.

The state develops rules and guidelines for the kids.  And the kids alone.  Adults are not taken into consideration when the rules for the kids are involved.  The state watches out for the kids, that's their job.  I appreciate what they do for their job, but as a parent, I wish they could speak more frankly with me.  If I'm not hearing the truth from the owner, where can I hear the truth?

In time, I am sure, things will become good again.  But we're in limbo right now.  J's new school won't be available for him until this fall.  So we're stuck in a bubble and I'm having a hard time feeling grounded.

Do you have any horror stories from daycares?  Do you feel like sharing?