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This is the last full week of school. In lieu of a homework packet for Kate her lovely teacher assigned a ‘quilt’ project. She has a list of no less than 50 questions to ask a grandparent, she then has to pick her favorite 8 questions, write them into squares on a paper, illustrate each question, write her name in the center square (stick her tongue out while she is doing it), decorate the borders completely and then turn it in. Huh? I’ll take a 10 minute math page and full page of cursive practice any day over this!
I know it is a worthy activity and she will learn a lot about the grandparent she interviews. And it will be a great exercise in time management and being creative, but …..on the last week of school?!?!? ‘Will she still graduate from 3rd grade if this project doesn’t happen?’ – That thought has actually gone through my head more than once.
We are definitely at the maintenance level of parent participation these days. I am busy trying to remember our schedule and making sure everybody gets where they are supposed to be. Somebody has a welcome to high school party while another wants to attend track finals and another has a softball game (that is actually Mr. Fun and he can get himself there but that takes the extra driver out and must be figured into the equation) and another has a pioneer event requiring photos. NOT MAKING QUILTS!
Last Friday I helped set up the photo booth for Kate’s elementary school Luau and then I brought her and her friend to the event. These school events are huge because there are 900 kids at the school. So add to that the parents that bring the kids and any siblings they bring along and you can imagine the crowd. The weather was nice so plenty of the action was happening outside but it was pretty crazy inside none the less. Since my foot is still in a boot I spent the evening planted at a table waiting for the girls to swing by every so often.
That’s when Karen came to hang out with me. I was so glad to have her and we chatted the night away. She has three girls too and our youngest girls have had classes together. It’s funny to see how similar our parenting experiences are both having three girls. I was lamenting the fact that it is hard to make sure they all get what they need…at the right level.
That’s when she said ‘I was talking to Dana and they told me about the Michelle Enebo Parenting Philosphy.’ Wait! I have a philosophy? And it’s being quoted back to me? How strange!
‘Yes’, she said. ‘It is that you need to finish strong. The last kid needs to have the same advantages that you gave to the first kid.’
Okay- that’s totally true and also a good reminder. That IS my philosophy. That is why, for nine years in a row I am still volunteering and attending such crazy events. It is also why I will be sitting down with my lovely Kate and making the best darned grandparent quilt we can…even if it is the last week of school.
Finish Strong