Last night I finally showed up at preschool parent committee meeting. I didn't go in October because it conflicted with my book club (and I've got my priorities). After the fiasco on Halloween and subsequent dealings with Missy, I was all set to go to the November meeting exuding self-confidence (and if that required a glass of wine beforehand, who would know?). But alas, Hubby had to work on the night of the November meeting and Ironflower had an ear infection. I had to stay home.
I didn't want to go to last night's meeting. There were snow flurries and Ironflower brought home a cold for her parents (I say this because while the whole family has runny noses, Hubby and I are the only ones with aches and sore throats and other cold symptoms. Not that that's bad. I'd rather be sick than have Ironflower or Lovebug be sick. But still, it sucks.) But I dragged myself to the school anyway.
And you know what? I sort of enjoyed it. Even when Missy came in (late, tsk.tsk.). After she found an empty seat, I passed some handouts to her - because I can be nice and annoyingly helpful too. And as I listened to Missy rant about the dangers of selling car seats at our baby stuff garage sale (I know it's dangerous to buy car seats that way and so do most other people, couldn't we let people make their own decisions?), I realized that I actually felt bad for Missy. She was so emotionally involved.
My pity grew when official business ended and the head of the committee asked if anyone had any questions or concerns.
Missy said, "I have a beef." Okay, who says that? Seriously, who? "I think we should be able to use the playground after the morning session ends. Right now kindergarten enrichment uses it starting at 11:30 and I told Teri (the preschool's director) that it's not fair. It's the perfect place for moms to make friends and arrange play dates and we're the ones who raised the money to build and we should be able to use it-" her voice broke a bit, and she dabbed at her eyes.
Now, I personally would LOVE to be able to stay on the playground with Ironflower and Lovebug when school ends, instead of being shoved aside by hyper kindergarteners. And I think having the enrichment kids play in the gym one or two days a week so that we could have the playground would be great. I even said so.
But is it worth crying about? Missy was crying because the school director didn't listen to her, or because her little boy doesn't get extra playground time. Or maybe both. And all I could think was, you poor, poor helicopter parent. Our fearless parent committee leader promised to talk to the director and Missy calmed herself. But I will never get the image of her emotional distress out of my head. Fortunately, the pity has eradicated all the hostile feelings I ever felt for her.
8 comments:
Haha, I actually had no idea what one looked like until I searched for it on google images just now. :p
Girl, I have an extra Lorazepam, but she's SO not getting it. Yowza.
You're a better woman than I, jerseygirl... I have no patience for people who cry over such small issues - I really don't, it annoys the hell out of me...
The thing with the playground, and I don't know how it works where you are but if the school children are using the facilities they can't have parents or other adults on the premises... at our school you can go into the main office and sign in and get a nametag to do things inside the school or on the grounds, so maybe that would work - the thing is, they can't just let people use the park during school hours - it turns into a dangerous situation as far as keeping strangers away from the students... and I know you said, hey, can we split the time? But, if you guys all used the park a few days a week, eventually neighboring parents of small ones would notice and start going there thinking it was a public park (at least if it's not located away from the street where passerby's can see it)
Anyway, I don't think this should be a big deal... can't you all just say, "Hey, I'm taking my kids to the park on such and such street, anyone who's got time, feel free to meet us..." I know more moms might stay if it was in front of school but you can still all get acquainted the other way.
Lottifish - I don't even want to know where the pictures on Google Images came from.
Dory - Don't worry, I'd never expect anyone to share good drugs. :) Especially with Missy.
Merry - The playground is attached to the school and pretty hidden. The preschool doesn't seem to have the same constraints as an elementary school because apparently the insurance covers it and the grounds are too secure for strangers to come walking up. So we could use the playground, except for the afternoon kids being there (kids come from a bunch of kindergartens and go to our preschool for enrichment). But I think you're absolutely right about going to the town park together or whatever.
And I'm really not a better woman - it's not like I'd ever be friends with Missy.
Yes, but you didn't roll your eyes or bludgeon her about the head and ears ;-) Points for you!
Oh, this Missy person. She's just a mess of all sorts, but I love reading about her.
Merry- You are a genius. I will put this on a t-shirt, whenever I get around to making a new store.
[...] 4. Missy. [...]
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