Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Bad Mommy!

We went to the circus this past weekend, and as always, I was enthralled by the juggling - how do they keep that many balls/batons/hats/burning sticks in the air at one time? But then, isn't that what we attempt to do in our daily lives? Yesterday, I dropped not just a ball, but one of the burning sticks. It could have been disaster, but it wasn't. Thank God.

Jason rides the bus to school in the mornings, but goes to daycare after school until I get off work and can come pick him up. It makes for a very long day for him, but it is the best I can do right now. I've made peace with that. Yesterday was the first day of an afterschool program that Jason loves. My intention was for him to go to daycare after his afterschool program, but somehow, there was a miscommunication with the school, and he was put on the school bus and sent home. When I arrived at daycare to pick him up, they told me he never came to daycare. I held it together as I drove home, called for him in and outside the house, then drove to three neighbors's houses looking for him. I found him at the third house. When he answered the door and gave me an exuberant, "Hi, Mom!", I burst into tears.

After a good night's sleep, I have stopped flagellating myself. We have, however, hidden a key outside for him. He knew our cell phone numbers when he started kindergarten, but he's never had call to use them, so he doesn't know them anymore. We'll have to work on that. Plus, I'll be having a talk with the school and the bus driver about how it is NOT OK to leave my 7-year-old on the side of the road when there is no one there to meet him. At the very least, I should have received a phone call - I know that they have my cell phone number. The bus stop is 7 tenths of a mile from my house. Poor Jason had to walk uphill 7/10th of a mile to an empty, locked house, then another half mile up to a neighbor's house (who wasn't home) then back down another 1/2 mile to another neighbor who was home. I'm going to look at the bright side and be glad he got lots of exercise yesterday. But I keep wondering about all the What Ifs - what if the other neighbor hadn't been home, what if it had been cold or raining, what if he had encountered one of the bears that lives in the National Forest behind our house, what if my neighbors weren't the good, trustworthy people that they are? I could go on and on.

Needless to say, I was a bit too wound up to get much sewing done last night. I couldn't focus on anything. I finally did get the last two pieced sashing borders sewn on my Pick and Choose and did a little squaring up of the HST border pieces. Maybe tonight the final borders will go on. We'll see.

8 comments:

Nancy said...

OMG Erin - that is one of a parents' worst nightmares! I'm sure you have called the school by now and stated your case. Was it a new driver, an untrained one, what the heck was he/she thinking to let him out with no one there??? Did the 3rd neighbor not have your #, or know where you work, etc??? I can understand your still being upset! Hope today goes better!

Lane said...

Okay, first and foremost, you are NOT a bad Mommy. I wouldn't aspire to be more like you if you were a bad parent. Stuff happens and everything seems to have a list of what if's as long as your arm when you're a parent. Instead of "bad" Mommy, you were "lucky" Mommy that none of those what if's happened. And, what a responsible little guy he was to find a place to go where someone would watch out for him instead of just wandering in the woods, or playing with fire, or...well, you get the picture. Good for you that you held it together. Good for him that he found a place to go. You both deserve a "happy meal" Lane

Anonymous said...

You are so NOT a bad mommy! Jason's a smart kid, and as painful as it may be for you, these little tests are good for you both. He must get his "cool-in-a-crisis" attitude from you; your reaction was surprisingly calm during our little joke in Baltimore. ;) Congratulations to you both!

Bootzey said...

If you are a bad Mommie then my mother should be in jail. At 7 I walked home, let myself into the house, fixed cereal for a snack, started my homework and took out whatever had the ribbon on it in the refrigerator. I saved the cooking part for my mother, though.

Becky said...

No way are you a bad mommy!!! But I know that you are a thankful mommy, because God was with him, gave him the presence of mind to figure out plans A,B,C and kept him safe while he was executing. Bless his heart, and bless your heart for loving him so.....I know some parents that wouldn't even care.

Kim said...

So how did my hero Jason handle it ?
Did he take it all in stride and do the right thing when he came to the obstacle presented to him? Did he problem solve and figure out what he should do next?
Good job Erin you've raised a little guy that can think and not panic!
You did not find hom crying on the door step hysterical because you were not there, right?
Hopefully this will never happen again, and you'll do everything you can to make sure...but if I were you I'd be pretty proud of myself for being a GREAT mom.

Happy Sewing

Jay said...

Saying you're a bad mommy is like saying it's okay to burn the American Flag (and you know what a Patriot I am).

With that said ... the school is another matter. I was once called to my 1st grade daughter's school to pick her up. She had fever and was sick at her stomach. I found her sitting outside by herself on the base of the flag pole where they put her ... alone. Grrrrr, I took care of that real quick!! Nuff said!!

I can't believe anything else but that you are a great mom...... jay

Molly said...

Erin, no way are you a BAD mommy. It was not your fault, it was the schools fault. You have raised a very level headed boy that figured ut what he must do until you got home. You should be patting yourself on the back as well as Jason. You taught him well and he learned it and practiced it very well. Thumbs up to you both.