Those of you avidly following my blog (a girl can dream, right) will have read my original post last week, The School Run. The earlier part of the school run is stressful enough, but unfortunately it’s not over when I get my children out of my front door. There is still more pain, more hideousness to the rest of the school drop off mission.
Once out in the street I am at the mercy of my poor social skills, pared with the diverse mix of personalities that make up THE OTHER PARENTS. Now I’m sure a few of them dip into this blog, so if you’re reading obviously I’m not talking about you, you’re lovely.
First up there are the over sharers, personally I want my morning greetings to consist of a smile, a how are you, a fine thank you and then we will go on our way. I have three children to control and no brain power left for any in depth conversations with anyone. Yet often I’m bombarded with very personal stories, deep feelings and difficult topics. I think unfortunately I’m blessed with the kind of face that says “share with me, I care” but I’m afraid folk at 8.45 am I don’t!
Then there are the overachievers. Those parents who have arrived with their child’s miniature cardboard replica of The Pyramids and boy are they proud. They should be proud of course, but at 8.45 am, again I don’t really care.
Finally there are the keen to chat to the teacher crowd. It’s a difficult one, because I get why parents want to talk to the teacher, they want to connect make sure their child is ok. But please Mum’s and Dad’s do not be that parent who is glued to the teacher every single morning, involved in a deep conversation so that I have to wait 15 mins to ask for the next set of keywords. This teacher has 30 children in his class so that’s 30 parents who may need at some point to be able to get his attention first thing before school starts, share the love.
Sometimes these drop off’s are further complicated by us having left lunch bags at home, or forgotten important consent forms. On these particularly blessed days I get twice the fun because I get to go home and return to the school, a double school run if you will.
After this school run I get to take my other son to preschool, up a very large hill, which often takes a long time to climb. By the end of my drop off’s I’m exhausted, simply from navigating the huge social mix, encountering and conversing with up to 30 other parents on my way. For someone with mental health issues and poor social skills, that’s a lot to deal with. Perhaps I should approach the school run the way I would any other social gathering which has me quaking in my boots, and drink wine. What do you think, hip flask on the school run, cool or not cool? Answers in the comment box.
Totally loving the blog these days hon! All mums should carry hip flasks…de rigour! They will be cath kitson themed (spew)!
Why thank you my dear.
Don’t tell me hip flasks don’t come with the school starter pack?
No Claire, and they don’t hand out chocolate either !
To save myself from having to converse with other parents at drop off/pick up time I publicly announced that I don’t like people, that I don’t do socialising. It got rid of most of them. I found that it left only the genuinely nice ones still wanting to bother trying to talk to me. That works for me haha, I did get a few odd looks though.
That was smart work lady.
Or just plain rude.
?
I didn’t claim it wasn’t rude. It had the desired effect though! Less hassle when I can’t be bothered. It’s a win in my book!
Head phones and shades might be the answer 🙂
Ah good plan.
I think you underestimate your social skills. Part of the game is to just look like you can do it, no matter what’s going on inside. Has taken me a while to figure this.
Fake it until you make it (cheesy but true). Will give that a try, thanks Sarah.
I am just always late… that way I get no time to talk to anyone as the parents are all leaving as I race in 😉
Brilliant, the hip flask sounds like a necessity!! Having been on the teacher side of it, I heartily agree. Fixed smiles and ‘how wonderful!’ x 38 (yep, huge classes!!) at such an ungodly hour is far too much like hard work!! Keep your chin up hen!
Fabulous blog post – love it.
I will enjoy my next year and a half before that there is me.
Thanks for the “heads up”.
xx