Wednesday, January 24, 2018

Getting Lost In Middle School

"Where are we?" I asked, peering around.

Natalie looked at the map. "I think. Here?" She pointed to a spot.

"I don't think so. We seem to be at the end of the school."

A cleaning lady walked past with her mop and bucket. "Hola," she said kindly. We should have asked her for help.

Natalie stared at the map again. "Hmm."

She inherited my lack of direction. I get lost on a daily basis. I hoped my children would inherit my husband's sense of direction, which is excellent, but no. Now, my son is pretty good with direction after he's been to a place once because he has a wonderful memory. But my daughter? Well. I watched as she poked at the map absently as though it would start speaking and tell us where to go.



"I don't see any other kids. Or teachers. We're clearly in the wrong spot." I took the map. "I think we need to go that way." I pointed straight. "Or...that way?" I pointed to the left.

Natalie sighed.

"I know. It's like the blind leading the blind," I said.

Eventually we found our way to the art room. We were at Natalie's future middle school for Elective Night. It's where the kids could go to different rooms and discover what they can take in sixth grade.

I can hardly believe Natalie is going to be in SIXTH GRADE. I've already panicked over the fact that she's in her last year of elementary school. Being in the actual middle school wasn't helping. I couldn't picture my daughter walking the massive halls. If she was already getting lost, how was she going to be when she went there? I pictured her lost in the faculty bathrooms being like, "I was trying to find the English room."

I was so distracted by all of this,  that I barely heard the lady say, "Do you want to join the PTA? It will last until next year and you get a free bag!"

Natalie was all, "My Mom will!" because she wanted that free bag.

I gave her a Look. The lady seemed so excited, I couldn't exactly tell her no, that my daughter spoke out of turn and only wanted the school cinch bag.



I am not exactly PTA material. I tend to send checks from a distance. I am an introvert. I'm not good around other people's children. But suddenly I was writing a check to join the PTA and leaving my information.

"We have special PTA events," the lady told me as she took my check. "We recently did a ZUMBA night."

I almost fell over. I am not a Zumba person. I am a Book person. If there is an event where everyone shows up with a book and goes to their respective corners and reads in silence, I'm down.

As we walked away I asked Natalie why she did that.

"Well, you said you wanted to get more involved," she answered with a shrug.

I blinked, perplexed. "When? Was this after Mommy had the margarita at Chuy's?"

"I don't know. Can I have the free bag we got?"

Natalie learned about the different electives and thinks she wants to do Art, plus Dance. Dance is considered a PE credit and she feels she's watched enough episodes of Dance Moms to do well.




Middle school. Whew. I guess there's no putting it off. It's happening in August. It's going to be a whole new adventure.

And I guess I'm a PTA Mom now.


43 comments:

  1. I'm terrified for my kids to grow up and be middle schoolers. They get to smart for their own good. Enjoy the PTA

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  2. I got roped into the PTA. Next thing I knew I was the new secretary. Next Vice President and after that President. Turned out to be great and we did some wonderful thing for the kids and the school.

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    1. I think I'll continue just being a member who sends checks. I might show up once in a while, but I normally don't do well in groups of people.

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  3. I am not a PTA kind of mom and have had to say no on more than one occasion. I HATE being put on the spot like that, but I have been better about finding my voice when asked to do things I don't want to do and actually saying no.

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    1. Yup, I plan on saying no if it's not something I want to do. I prefer to donate items and send checks, which is most likely what I'll do 90% of the time. :)

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  4. I was terrified when my son even went to nursery so I can't even believe that he will be going to another class end of this year, it will freak me out but I will have to deal with it.

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  5. Gabbie is super jealous Natalie can take dance in middle school! We had middle school preview night last night too.

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  6. Gosh! You were put into an awkward spot because your daughter wants that free bag! I hope you get to enjoy the PTA events.

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  7. Oh dear, good luck with the PTA I am sure you will love in {in the end} lol and Natalie sounds like she will have a lovely time at middle school

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  8. I remember my first day of middle school! Everything seemed so different and bigger! She is going to love it!

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  9. Haha, this made me laugh! A zumba night sounds great ;-) Good luck with the PTA!

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  10. Welcome to the PTA. I loved PTA in elementary and middle schools and was that active parent. It was in high school that I was out of sorts. It is amazing how many different courses are offered in middle school and I'm glad your daughter got to choose something she likes. We ended up auditioning for band and apparently so did every other child in the 6th grade. Auditions lasted well into the twilight hour. Yes, for MIDDLE SCHOOL BAND.

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  11. I was a school principal and I loved this post. Since retiring, it is fun to read about the experiences moms are having these days. My daughter chose Orchestra and the violin. My ears will NEVER be the same.

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  12. I was about to tell you that I think PTA is cool and you'll have a free bag that will make your daughter happy, but then, ZUMBA night? seriously? I wish you will enjoy your PTA zumba nights and other events. Good luck mommy!

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  13. This post cracked me up! I don't have kids but I don't think I'd want to be in the PTA, either. Lots of luck!

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  14. LOL! I have to laugh because when my oldest was in kindergarten I went to a PTA meeting, I raised my hand to ask a question and suddenly I had a job. I walked away mortified and couldn't believe what I had gotten myself into. Four years later at a new school and a new state I'm not the box tops collection coordinator. If you show you care at all, you'll get a job whether you have the time for it or not! LOL! Congrats on being a member of the PTA! Now put that book down and go learn Zumba! LMAO!!

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  15. It is so hard to have them grow up! My daughter turned 10 today and I am freaking out about that! She is only in 4th grade and her elementary school goes up to 6th grade, so I get to cheat a little and put off middle school an extra year. I hear you on the PTO thing, I signed up as well and so far I am loving it! IO enjoy meeting other parents (mainly Moms) in my neighborhood.

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  16. I went to school in BC where there is no such thing as middle school. It is just elementary on to secondary. I feel like it would be so scary to transition so many times.. for the kids as well as for the parents.

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  17. Ekk good luck with the PTA, I would be the same as you totally not my thing (but then I don't have kids so I don't really think about it) remember to say no if you don't want to do something and good luck to Natalie!

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  18. It seems like they grow up so fast. I remember when my kids started middle school. I was so emotional over it.

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  19. Time flies, indeed! I think it's bittersweet, exciting but also a little heartbreaking at the same time for moms. Sorry about your involuntary application to the PTA. I hope it'll be a good year.

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  20. Enjoy the PTA. It can be fun, but remember it's ok to say no!

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  21. I dunno, Zumba night for the PTA sounds like a rocking good time! (NOT)

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  22. Oh how exciting! I wish we could've done dance at my middle school instead of PE.

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  23. Ahaha this put a smile on my face. And then, holy heck! She's going to be in the 6th grade soon??!?! WOAH!! I wanna see the free bag! HA

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  24. I don't have kids but I do have a terrible sense of direction so I can relate! HA! Good luck on being a PTA Mom!!

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  25. I was almost talked into the PTA, even though it was totally not my thing. I did volunteer all of the years that our daughter was in school. I helped at every dance and school function that time would allow me to.

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  26. All the best for the PTA.I am sure it will be fine. How fast kids grow up, it is indeed mind-boggling

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  27. I am not the best with direction so I feel you. Dance is a great choice for Physical Education.

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  28. The passage to middle high school was pretty smooth to me. And to my parents too. I am sure she will do great!

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  29. This works both literally and metaphorically! Middle school is such a volatile time in kids' lives. Glad you got everything figured out though. XD

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  30. This is hilarious and it totally reminded me of a scene in Bad Moms. ( I love that Movie) I always dred the "Do you want to join the PTA?" question.

    My son is headed to High School and I have all the nerves. I know we will get lost in that huge place.

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  31. Dear lady, hope you take vitamins and yoga, because you're entering the stage of motherhood that needs both. Babushka's glad to have entered the grandma zone. BB2U

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  32. Wow, you're awesome for the PTA thing. I have still resisted because I cannot! They want me, though. I remember getting lost in middle school and thinking I'd never find my way. I swear high school took me a whole year!

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  33. Oh you poor thing! no one should have to suffer through a PTA meeting. LOL

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  34. My parents tried being part of the PTA when I was in middle school but it def wasnt for them. But I wish you the best. Maybe suggest a bookclub type event.

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  35. Neither me or my kids were prepared for middle school. My youngest just had her first day of middle school this school year. She got lost, but who doesn't! While we were walking around on the Open House before school officially started I seemed to have managed to have not been asked. Good luck on being apart of PTA.

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  36. This made me remember the time I had to deal with my first child being in Middle School. You're proud and so emotional at the same time, it's tough to let go but it's amazing how far they've come!

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  37. Middle school was as frightening to me as it was my kids. I was always afraid I'd end up in the wrong class. I'd pass on Zumba, lol.

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  38. My youngest is about to take her exams before she leaves year eleven this year. I still can't get my head around that. Next she'll be off to college then hopefully university. They grow up so fast (I know everyone says it but it's so true).

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  39. My kids are still young now so I still have a few more years to prepare to be a high school parent. Hopefully, when the tim comes, it's not going to be that scary for us. If I can volunteer at ththe school, maybe it will be an easier transition.

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  40. Ohh, time flies so fast. She is going to middle school. I am not sure how will I be or how will I react on this events in my life when I have my own children. And, ahhh good luck for the Zumba haha. Charge it to experience then.

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  41. Mine go next year it's scary. They grow up so fast. Have fun with the PTA.

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