Today marked the start of 2nd grade for my eldest, Jake. I found myself awake at 5:30 a.m., an hour ahead of schedule, buzzing with excitement as if it were a holiday.
In true mom fashion, I whipped up some pancakes from that convenient mix you just add water to. I made sure I was dressed appropriately, just in case a neighbor caught me shaking that batter with great enthusiasm. Jake’s navy shorts were laid out, though I had to remind him to ignore the lint—thanks to a laundry mishap involving new towels—and I ensured his sneakers were tightly double-knotted.
Although we missed the bus, I reassured him that the carpool line would still work. I gathered his younger siblings, who were still in their pajamas, and loaded them into our trusty old van. Jake recently declared his ambition to become an “asteroidal physicist.” A shift from his previous goal of being a regular scientist, and it had me researching that term before I even had my morning coffee!
As we arrived at the school, I attempted to share a heartfelt moment with Jake, one of those precious times where you connect deeply with your child. You know the kind: where you feel like a parenting rockstar, until you’re suddenly shouting, “DON’T EAT THE TOOTHPASTE AGAIN!” It truly is special.
I turned around, trying to hold back tears of pride, and said, “Jake, I’m so proud of you. I hope you have a fantastic day. Your siblings will really miss you tod—” And just then, the teacher on carpool duty opened the door, and Jake enthusiastically shouted, “BUH-BYE, SUCKAS!!!!” as he leaped out of the van.
The teacher froze for a moment, clearly taken aback. I smiled and called out, “HAVE A GREAT DAY!” as if such an exuberant farewell was our family tradition. Her expression remained unchanged as she closed the door.
I’ve decided that next time, I’ll embrace the fun of it all. I’ll kiss my kids goodbye and, as they wave at me with their sweetest smiles, I’ll roll down the window and shout, “BUH-BYE, SUCKAS!!!!” while driving off. Because that’s just how we roll, SUCKAS!
This article was originally published on Aug. 17, 2015.
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Summary:
The first day of school can be both exciting and chaotic for parents. Lila shares the humorous experience of dropping off her son, Jake, for 2nd grade, capturing the mix of pride, embarrassment, and love that comes with parenting moments. Humorously, she recounts how Jake’s exuberant farewell took her by surprise, showcasing the unpredictable nature of motherhood and the joy found in these unique experiences.