BOY TRAPPED

Where the inside of my mind leaks onto the screen.

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

No Child Left Behind

We've all heard it and categorized it as little more than a lofty goal for public education. Still, I think it has merit, so I've decided to implement it on a smaller scale. My goal is simple, but accomplishing it will greatly impact my child's future. "What is this goal?" you may ask. And here it is: to remember to take Adam home from school.

Every Tuesday and Thursday Adam gets to go to preschool while I am busy teaching my music classes. I finish at 11:15 and spend the next 15 minutes cleaning up my stuff and preparing to leave. He meets me in my classroom at 11:30, and we begin our joint journey home. This simple system has resulted in Adam successfully arriving at home on 16 consecutive occasions. While this track record is nothing short of impressive, apparently it is not about the number of times I take him home. He seems to be focusing on the time I didn't.

Today I made record time cleaning up my classroom, so I decided to grab my keys and duck out a few minutes early. I hopped in my car and began the drive to pick up Alex from Heather's house. I started to wonder how my boys had been for Heather today. "Did Alex take a good nap?" All at once, I realized it was Tuesday, which meant I had Adam at school with me. I called the school to let them know I'd forgotten him and that I'd be through loading to pick him up. I knew my ego would be bruised as the other teachers laughed it up at my expense, but I also knew I'd get over it.

What I didn't bargain for was Adam's reaction in the car.

"Mom," he said, "I went to class today."

"Yep, you did."

"You didn't go to class today, Mom."

"Yes, I did."

"No you didn't. You weren't in class. You were in the car."

"You're right, buddy. I'm really sorry."

"Don't do that again, Mom. It makes me really sad."

"Oh, I'm really sorry. I will not do that again."

"You're in trouble, Mom. I need to spank you."

"No, Adam, you don't get to spank Mommy."

"Okay. I'll call Daddy and tell him you are in trouble, and he can spank you."

Somehow, I don't think Adam's gonna let me live this one down.

1 comments:

Jay said...

This is something that I think happens to every parent, though I am sure that doesn't make you feel any better. I am sure Kirk will oblige in the spanking. (Someone had to say it) lol