Top Five Reasons Why My Kids Need To Go Back To School
Posted: Monday, September 22, 2008
by Laura Trahan
It has been over a week since Hurricane Ike hit and my kids are still at home instead of in school. Lack of electricity has many school districts still canceled. Going on day seven of missed school, I can honestly say it is time for my kids to go back. I do not mind them sitting in the dark all day or having class outside. I will pack water. It is just time for their little bodies to be back in school. Here are the top reasons why.
Do you know how much it costs to entertain kids? Yes, I know there are free things to do, but with parks closed because of downed trees, a beach that is closed and most of the week having no power-you begin to spend money. As soon as a place opens, you rush out just to have something to do. We took the kids to the zoo on Saturday. Seventy dollars later, we set in awe and shock at how much things cost. Granted, we could have packed a lunch instead of eating at the zoo, but we had no idea we could take lunches and drinks into the zoo.
Number 4-The Whining
Seriously, who raised these kids? Where did all this whining come from? After spending $70 on admission and food, these kids that were obviously spawned from Satan, had the nerve to throw fits because we wouldn't buy from the gift shop. Need I say more? We have heard whining when there was no power, which I could understand, but now it is still going on. "He won't play with me" "She is being mean!" "But I want to" "I need that!" I would purchase ear plugs if I had any money left.
Number 3-No Schedule
When we had kids, instituting a schedule was essential. I live and breathe by having a schedule. With the kids out and living through the disaster culminating with no power, the schedule got lost. Have you ever been around a three-year-old who hasn't napped or slept good in a week? The first night without power in the heat, she woke up every ten minutes because of the sweat and fear. She got to where she would just lay her head down and then scream that she had a bad dream. I would try to explain that she needs to actually sleep in order to have a bad dream.
"I had a bad dream"
You know you have to actually sleep before you can have a bad dream, what was it about?"
"An alligator took a bite out of the ballerina's dress."
"I am sorry. Is that all that happened?"
"uh, huh," she says in the best fake crying tone.
"well, you know what happened next?" "The alligator choked on the dress and died. Then the ballerina's mommy sewed the dress to make the most beautiful dress in the world."
"the ballerina didn't like the color though," she replies.
Seriously, go to sleep!
Number 2-Unhealthyness
When the hurricane first went through, I would let my kids drink whatever they wanted. I felt so guilty for what they were going through. Granted, we really don't have sodas in the house, but those juice boxes can be just as sugar-filled. I swear my daughter went the first few days without food. She drank juice boxes, chocolate milk and yogurts like nobody's business. We were trying to use up the milk in the refrigerator so I didn't complain. One day, we realized my son had peanut butter for every meal. He had peanut butter cereal for breakfast and a sandwich for lunch and dinner. Now that the power is back on, I am finding myself saying yes to things just not to hear the constant whining. I told my daughter for the first time yesterday she could have water. You would have thought I told her that he favorite pet had died. I also find if I cook, we eat that same meal as leftovers for two days. Not sure why. We have no after school activities so we are all just turning into giant vegetables. Scary.
Number 1-Frozen Toothbrush
My son froze his toothbrush in the freezer. Yes, he filled a Ziploc bag with water, dropped his toothbrush in and froze it. When asked why, he said he thought it would be funny because when I told him to brush his teeth he could honestly say that he couldn't. Do you see why? He needs to be in school so he can't be creative. Being out of school leads to too much creativity.
Granted, all of this is written in humor. I love my kids and have enjoyed getting to be closer to them through all of this. When my husband left town for three days for a conference, I was dreading the rest of the week being by myself with nothing to do.
It was the best blessing. We tie-dyed shirts, visited friends and just had fun spending time together. Although, tomorrow I will be happy to have some normalcy as they start back at school, I think I might be a little sad as well.
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Top-level comments on this article: (3 total)Ha, thanks I needed that laugh--no quit your whinning and go freeze your toothbrush!! Ha! Now there's a trick you and Rob and play on Jean & Bruce--sneak into their house do the dirty deed :-)Great job as usual!
hi laura,this was an uplifting take on what i'm sure was no uplifting task!having a three year old warrants you to wear a crown of some sort, and another child on top of that just adds to the chaos, i mean caring.i'm glad your electric is back on.thanks for a good article,my best to you,sue
It seems we share the same kids, or at least the same satanic father. I actually could not wait for summer to be over so they could go back to school. I know that sounds horrible but your list is pretty consistent with what goes on in my house. Loved the article...very funny and clever!
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