Yep! I’m a Total Slacker Mom!
posted on Feb. 11, 2010
Ok, ok…so I know I told everyone that I was taking this week off from posting in order to familiarize myself with my new home over at WordPress, but after dropping my son off at preschool this morning, I just couldn’t resist jumping back on the blog wagon. I promise to try and be as brief as possible, because I still have quite a bit of work to do to get things squared away over here!
My son has been looking forward to today’s class for weeks now because of the big Valentine’s Day party they are having! Since he is only in preschool and I don’t know what is in store for me once he enters the public school system as far as Valentine’s Day parties go, and since I don’t know if he will even get to distribute valentines once he gets to that age, I was thrilled to be able to take him to Target a couple weeks ago and let him pick out a box of valentines to give to all of his classmates. It only took him a few seconds to pick out the Lightning McQueen ones, and he was even more excited about the fact that the Lightning McQueen valentines came with temporary tattoos than he was about the actual cards!
In the February school newsletter that was sent home with us at the beginning of the month, there were instructions for how the big Valentine’s Day shin-dig would go down. They read as follows:
“The children are encouraged to exchange valentines. These can be “homemade” (yeah, right…like I have enough time or imagination to come up with homemade cards…more power to those who do though…I wish that I had one ounce of your creativity) or store bought (much more my speed). We ask that your child, (or you), only write your child’s name on them (do not address them). This is easier for your child to deliver.”
I have to admit that I must have read these directions about ten times because there was just no way in hell that I was going to be the only mom in the entire class who actually wrote names on the front of those valentines. I mean, I expect that my kid is going to break the rules every now and then because he’s a kid and that’s what kids do, but I’ll be damned if I’m going to be the one who causes him to be the odd man out when all of the other kids are following instructions correctly.
I figured that the easiest thing to do would be to sign his name for him since he really hasn’t mastered the art of doing that quite yet. I sat at the kitchen table for a good three minutes yesterday and got all 15 of those valentines signed. Then I started digging through the box for the envelopes to stick them in. There weren’t any. There were these cute little heart stickers that I assumed were used to seal the envelopes if there actually were any, but since they were obviously absent from the box, I decided to just stick one little heart on each valentine. This took an extra two minutes or so. Then I pulled out those damn tattoos. I stared at them and spent a good minute and a half wondering what in the heck I was going to do with them since there were no envelopes to place them in, and I concluded that it was probably in my best interests to just forget about distributing the tattoos. With my luck, there would probably be some over-the-top obsessed mom who would worry about the ink poisoning her child’s blood and then she’d probably complain to the teachers about the dangerous item that had been included in my son’s valentine cards, and then I’d get a phone call, or even worse a parent-teacher conference, to inform me that such behavior was frowned upon at this particular nursery school. And then they’d tell me that there was some sort of restraining order and that my poor little boy was no longer allowed within two feet of her son or daughter. Oh yeah, the risks were definitely way too high, so I put the valentines in a ziplock bag by themselves and forgot about those tattoos.
Fast forward to an hour ago when I dropped the little man off. He walked into class with his ziplock bag (the quart size, not the gallon) and one of the teachers took it and wrote his name on it with a Sharpie. And that’s when I noticed the other bags of valentines that were rolling in. Most of them were in gallon size ziplock bags or in grocery bags and all of them had some other little item included with them besides just the card. In fact, most of them were actually inside their own petite goodie bags and included candy or some other trinket. A few of the mothers even dared to go the “homemade” route and put them into individual little treat boxes for each child complete with heart stickers on the outside of the box. I looked at the other kids’ valentines and then looked back at my son’s pathetic little ziplock bag and I immediately started to feel like the biggest slacker mom on the face of the earth. I honestly thought I was going to have a panic attack, because all I could picture was the kids exchanging valentines later on in the morning and getting the one from my son and being completely disappointed that some little treat was not included. And then I thought of how bad my little boy is going to feel if someone says something about it to him. I can’t believe that my lack of experience and knowledge with the whole preschool thing may cause my son a lot of unnecessary heartache today.
For the record, I really think that the instructions for the whole valentine exchange should’ve included some sort of warning in parenthesis at the bottom of the page that said:
“Just to make all of the “I have no idea what in the hell goes on at preschool holiday parties because this is my son/daughter’s first year in preschool” moms aware, you are not obligated to include treats with your child’s valentines, but please make a mental note that all of the other moms are going to include candy or some other goodie with their child’s valentines, so you run the risk of making yourself look like a total chump if you don’t do the same thing and include the damn treats.”
Just when I thought the feeling of being a total failure wasn’t bad enough, I noticed that some of the kids were showing up not only with fancy-shmancy valentines to hand out, but they were also showing up with nice big heart-shaped boxes of Russell Stover candies to give to each of the teachers. I didn’t think of that one either. Just shoot me.
I completely sympathize! While I don’t have a little kid, I make those kind of mistakes myself *all* the time, then question how I managed to grow up without learning such lessons. Also, I love your whole blog look!
Mary,
Forget about it!! Now you’ll know for next year!
Oh no! Don’t be too hard on yourself, and now you know what to do next year and for every single one of the holidays to come.
Greetings from Mexico!
I know how you feel! When the kiddos started school, we ran into the same thing. Luckily, my boys could really care less and allow me to be the mom who refuses to go with the flow and blow holiday parties way out of proportion. No one has ever made fun of them for it and we’ve saved a lot of money through the years.
I am new to your blog but am already a big fan. You have a way with words! I can appreciate how you feel in these situations and although I find myself feeling the same way I was never able to vocalize them in the comedic way you do, its a godsend to know that I too am ‘normal’!! (whatever that is) but i am right there with you sister!
You inspire me
OMG, laughing so hard because you are SOOO right! I have a precshooler and a 2nd grader and I always send the sad little quart sized ziploc bag to school and my son ends up with bags of candy! I figure at this age, no one’s going to know my kid is the one bringing no candy! LOL. Maybe next year I’ll buy some, or maybe not!
Ohhh…that would make me feel badly too. But don’t worry about it too much. They’re still so little, and probably don’t know the difference! And you have a whole year to plan something fabulous for next Valentine’s Day!
Oh I had the same type of situation with my son when he was in kindergarten. Don’t you love it when the other parents send all kinds of crap in the valentines? I wait until nobody is looking and then I pitch it all out!
Honey? I’ll totally be in the same boat with you. My sister and I were just talking earlier about how crazy my mom goes over the parties for my little sisters. It’s ridiculous! Your son will be fine–if anything he’s the one that made out well in this
xo chica
We just had my son’s preschool Valentine party today too! I actually felt pretty proud of myself because I learned this lesson a few months ago when I saw what the other Mom’s were bringing in for their kid’s birthday days (each kid has a birthday party near or on their day). My kid was one of the first to have a birthday party so I brought in a jumbo box of Oreos for everyone to share at snack time. For every other party since I’ve notice that the other moms go all out with beautifully decorated handmade cupcakes. A few moms also gave everyone Christmas candy (I didn’t). So I went ahead and bought little gift bags to put the Valentines, tattoos – same ones as you – and I tossed in a sucker too. Going through his bag I noticed that about half of his Valentines were just the cards though so I think you’re probably safe.
Really me and you can be related! I cannot tell you how many times I have screwed things up when it comes to the school “what ever holiday” party. My poor girls… I try so hard to stay on top of things I really do but I swear I miss everything. So you are definetly not the only one.
I actually keep a bag of toys in my car just in case it happens to be show in tell. My little girl has had to bring in that freakin zhu zhu pet like 3 times already. Oh you just inspired me to write a post on this.
Love the new look! As for the little man’s first school Valentine’s Day party, don’t even worry about it. As schmaltzy as it may sound, it really is the thought that counts. Your son picked out the Valentines he wanted to give to his classmates and he had fun doing it, and that’s what matters … Right? LOL
All that extra crap. It happens at all the parties. Like the kids need a full goody bag from each of the kids for each holiday.
I need to get you back in my reader. Of course, I still remember to come over, but you’re not right in my “blogs I follow” thing now.
No worries!!! It’s all good! The kids would never notice!!!! It won’t be the last time for me to do something like this and I’ll just have myself a laugh next time it happens to me, thinking of your preschool heart day oops.
I remember those days, they were just last year. I was never on top of those things, I worried constantly that my daughter would be laughed and pointed at and basically lost a lot of sleep. Because of my unorganized life however the teacher knows not to expect much from me. I don’t get asked to chaperone, make baked goods or any of that other stuff I am no good at nor have the time to do. Don’t give into the peer pressure.
Love the new blog look!
I would’ve done the same thing. I doubt the other kids are even going to know who gave what so I wouldn’t worry about.
Ahhh… the mommy pressures of preschool – hate them! I go the less complicated route too, and then feel like I did something wrong by not sending in a sweet with a elaborate valentine. But you know what? They all get thrown away, so who cares???
Coming over from Friday Follow! It’s crazy how addicting this blogging can be. As for the valentines? I agree with the previous poster, by tomorrow everyone will have forgotten who gave what card… I would be the parent that didn’t send any cards because there is no way my little boy is going to have any valentines haha!
Alicia from Coffee Mugs and Sippy cups
SO true. I have been there with my first child in pre-school (4 years ago). I have learned I (in particular) will be out-done by many a mother and have accepted that (I am not THAT mom) sorry to my kids but it is the truth. We don’t all have the creative gene or the resources (financially) to go the extra mile for classmates! Great post – I was laughing and could relate~
Oh boy does your story ever bring back the memories! And you’re so right, it’s always the moms who have older kids who KNEW beforehand about all the fancy schmancy stuff to include.
Yup, just wait until it’s time for your child’s first “big” homework project in third or fourth grade. I think I got an A+…er, I mean my KID got an A+ on hers. ;o)
This is my first time at your blog (I think…seeing as you just switched to WordPress). But anyway, I’m you’re newest follower.
I TOTALLY related to this post. We just did the little Valentine’s cards for my 5 year old (and 2 year old) and off they went. Only, my 5 year old had THREE Valentine’s parties which I won’t get into because it’s a story much too long for a comment. The first was yesterday and I sent him with 16 Valentine’s because at Christmas there were 11 kids in his class. Totally parenting fail yesterday when I dropped him off and realized that there were TWENTY-TWO kids in his class. DOH! Did I say anything? Umm, no. I just high-tailed it out of there.
So yeah, I suck. I know this, and yet I continue to suck. *sigh*
I have so been in your shoes! Actually, my girls are teens and I’m still committing mom faux paus all of the time.
Very pretty layout!
Found you through Friday Follow! Great blog, I’m now a Google Friend Connect Follower!
Visiting from My Kids Are Fun!
You might just be by new BFF!
When my daughter, who is 10 now, had her first preschool V-Day party they sent a class list of names home so we sat down with the boxed cards and she wrote everyone’s name on them. It might have taken 2 weeks, it took so long!
I thought they were supposed to do it as homework!
THen the day of the party there were all of these freakin goody bags and handmade cards and I just died. Hers was so pathetic.
The following year we did the same thing because there is no way I am making a goody bag for 25 kids! We did include lollipops though.
I have never done a gift for the teacher except for Christmas when they get a gift card, but we do buy extra school supplies for the teacher (they love that)
Now she is in the 4th grade and she made her own cards this year! It was very cute and she was happy to make them herself.
I’m here from Friday Follow! I’m glad to have found your blog! Following you now. Hope you’ll follow me back!
Shannon at:http://www.milkandcuddles.com/
Love the new look. Thanks for joining the blog hop this week. I’m already following you.
Happy Follow Friday!
Tami
http://www.heartsmakefamilies.com
I am now following your blog from Friday Follow. Happy Friday Follow
Your post reminds me my son’s first party at preschool.I was clueless:)New look is great!!!
Happy Friday Follow! Found you on there list. Following you. Stop by me if you get the time. Don’t forget to enter my contest, “NAME THAT BAND”! Have a good weekend!
Yeah – You are a slacker mom! lol This is the story of my life – even the Russell Stovers to boot. Geez!
Whatever! You know the kids will love you no matter what. And by the time he’s old enough to care, he won’t remember any more!
Oh Mary! I have been there – but not with preschool since my daughter is only 2.5 But I sure don’t get the memo when other people go over the top with things and I do what is asked.
I love your new blog! Oh this is tooo stinkin cute! Congrats on switching over! Now that you are on wordpress my blog should work on your blogroll. Blogger has so many issues
I love the colors, the design, all of it! I followed you again on GFC so I should start getting your feed again in my reader – woohoo!! I missed it, you crack me up!
Did not see your old look, but like your blog. Happy Friday Follow…on Saturday!
Geepers don’t be so hard on yourself, your a good momma. Anyway Love the new look!!! Congratz on your blog’s face-lift.
Happy Valentines Bloggy Friend!!!
Don’t worry, I was always the kid who didn’t have the little “extras” with my cards- in fact one year I forgot to even sign them. Didn’t bother me- I just relished in all the goodies that made their way to my “mailbox”. He’ll be fine.
Ps. Stopping over from the Lady Bloggers Society & I LOVE your site! I’m following you now.
Shell
OK, I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not looking forward to the plethora of hoopla occasions that will bombard me when my little one enters school. Don’t get me wrong, I’m ALL for fun festivities, but having to keep up with what to bring, when to bring it and how to package it just overwhelms me a tad. lol
I’m with Shell…he’ll be fine and his memories will be filled with so many more important things…like jumping into leaves and making a tent in the living room.
~melody~
I’m following you from Friday Follow!
Heather
http://www.ratherbechangingdiapers.com/
Awww crap! I didn’t think of getting the teachers anything either!
Oh I can sympathize with you! But if you look at what I made for my daughters preschool party, you’ll probably mistakenly take me for one of “those” moms. : ) Seriously, it’s all I can do to remember to feed the baby everyday, let alone function at preschool parties. : )
All those other Moms who go to extremes usually are trying to convince people that they have it all together. I usually alternate between holidays. Like for Christmas, I did nothing for preschool. No presents for teachers, nothing, nada, zilch for anyone at any school. (What, am I Satan?
So for Vday I decided I would. Easter or St. Patricks day? I’ll probably be a slacker again. : )
Do what you can, when you can : ) You’re doing a great job! *HUGS*
Love your blog and totally relate to this post! My 17 month old son attends a mother’s day out program one morning a week and the other moms all brought valentine’s treats for all the kids. I felt so inadequate!
Hey , Happy Valentine’s Day!!!
so ben and i were invited to a friends at home daycare’s valentines party last friday. after reading your post, i decided it would be best if we made valentines to give to his friends. they were adorable, if i do say so myself (whats not adorable about hearts, glitter, stickers….). that being said, i obviously can still be categorized as a “new mom,” even after almost 3 years. everyone else had candy, heart shaped candy boxes, pencils… all sorts of treats. i also am a total slacker mom!
xoxox