The Munchkin has been having some issues with the kindergarten experience. From bus rides to teacher issues to Mean Girls, she’s just been having a time of it. I don’t need to give you details. Any of you who endured kindergarten or who have sent children to endure kindergarten know what I’m talking about; it’s hard. For the parents as well.
D has been struggling with watching her daughter struggle. She has shared some of that with me and I have been supportive as I can be from way over here when she’s way over there. She called me earlier this evening and said:
I had to call and rant to you because I know that only you would understand and be just as mad.
I know she didn’t mean to validate me. I know she’s just frustrated and wants things to be easier for her daughter. But darn if D didn’t validate the heck out of me.
But, yes, I’m angry for the Munchkin. I’m angry at mean and nasty kids who say mean and nasty things. I’m mad at those kids’ parents for not teaching them the basics of manners. I’m mad! I want to show up and yell, “I’M A MEAN AND SCARY BIRTH MOTHER! WE’RE ALL UNPREDICTABLE* AND DRUG ADDICTED** SO DO YOU WANT TO KEEP MESSING WITH THIS CHILD?!” Obviously, that’s not really how I roll so I’ll just sit here, write about it, rant with D and stew in my own grumpiness.
And then panic about when my oldest son goes to kindergarten. Can I skip that year?
Mentally, I think that he won’t have some of the challenges that the Munchkin has facing her right now. On the flip side, their personalities are strikingly similar. And he’s also going to bring some different challenges to the table because he’s a boy. Parents still suck. Teachers still suck. Kids still suck. I don’t deal well with people who suck. Really, can we just skip kindergarten?
I ramble. The truth is that I just want to drive to the Munchkin’s house, give her a big hug and tell her that she’s the best girl on the planet. Because she is. I don’t care what Mean Girls say. Or even if you think your daughter is the best on the planet. Mine is.
So, pfffffft.
Noelle is always the first person I think of when I’m feeling an intensity of emotion about Mallory. I know no one else in the world will understand it in the same way. It’s a luxury to have another mother that is completely invested in our child.
Oh, and the social angst? Worst part of mothering in my opinion. As bad as not sleeping through the night for months on end.
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I know this isn’t the point, but it got me thinking…
For me, Kindergarten was awesome! It was the best time I had in school, possibly until college. I went to a public school with lots of different kids, an advanced reading program, and an amazing playground.
For the next 8 years, I went to Catholic school with a bunch of stick-girls, where everyone was taught on the same level, we played in a parking lot, and no one liked me.
So really, Kindergarten may not be all that bad for the boys. Maybe they could have my experience. And then, if you don’t send them to Catholic school, they could still be happy later on. :0)
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Like you, I can’t believe some of the Mean Girl behavior we are seeing in kindergarten. Don’t these parents understand that this type of behavior grows exponentially worse? What will these children act like at 10? at 15? if the parents don’t guide and discipline their children now? I am so sad for my Tongginator sometimes. And for your Munchkin. But I am so glad for you that D validated you in such a way.
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