Last night at 10PM I found a note in Spencer’s pile of art that said:
“Spencer Allport, School Supplies By Friday Please!!!”
He’s been going to the same preschool for a year and his VPK program started a little earlier than they had planned so it was a really smooth transition. When Jason was in VPK they didn’t need supplies, they were just included. It just never occurred to me Spencer was going to need something. So of course I did what any mother of the current technology age would do and jumped on Facebook to complain about what a horrible parent I was. What really surprised me though was when my girlfriend Michelle commented that I had missed Open House, which is where I would have found out about the school supply list.
I think what else bothered me was that all week Spencer told us that he needed markers and a glue stick and we just ignored him. I mean hello, he’s 4, what does he know. We just assumed he wanted things because they were introducing things to him in class. Little did I know he was actually just far smarter than Mommy and Daddy.
Now, my Mother In Law had picked up Spencer from school nearly every day this Summer and it doesn’t surprise me that his papers didn’t reach my hands, but I can’t put all the blame on her. I’m sure there were signs around the school and I certainly dropped him off in the morning many days. The fact is I’m just overwhelmed right now. I’m too busy and I’m juggling too many things. Somehow along the way I’ve become Frankie Heck.
Last week when our family went to Jason’s open house we completely missed that we were supposed to stop into a certain classroom to pay for school supplies (which are provided to all students but paid for by parents) and aftercare, however all the other parents caught on. Low and behold it was printed on a form we were holding in our hand. We just didn’t slow down long enough to read what was staring me in the face.
Working full time during the day and coming home to work another business and try to be a wife and a mom is most certainly weighing me down. I barely see my friends anymore and don’t really have a relationship with my mom who lives 2 miles away. I have some friends at work and that helps a ton, since spending 8-9 hours a day with them makes it an easy way to blow off steam. They are truly my saving graces. But then there is that work/personal life line and things go grey.
But the truth of the matter is I need to get my priorities straight. Jason and Spencer need a mom who doesn’t forget their most basic needs. So as of today they are moving back up the totem poll. I’ll even sign up as a room mom in Jason’s class. I noticed the sheet was blank except for one mom who signed up 3 spaces down.
So tell me, am I alone? Have you had a worst mom ever moment, is it just me?
Girl,,, I have these every week! My opinion is if you are feeling like an inadequate mom that you are probably NOT. A bad mom doesn’t care they are bad nor do they feel sorry when they are confronted with their suckage. It is hard when you are getting pulled a million directions. Keep the faith girl and it doesn’t hurt every now and then to apologize to your kids for being crappy and telling them you will do better. I have to do this often.
We all make mistakes now and then! Starting a full time job after working from home for so long is bound to be really rough. Now that you realized there is a problem, just fix it going forward. xoxo
Lee! I’m so sorry you’re feeling like a failure – but I do the same thing! I had to send in a few things for school and I kept missing notes and even emails from the teacher! She must think I’m a doofus. Hang in there, Mama!!
Lee,
You are not the worst mom!!
You were just really busy and you realize that things need to change.
It’s also a great opportunity to teach your children that you aren’t perfect and that’s ok too.
I found myself surprised last year by events that other moms seemed to know about already. I’ve also forgotten allergy free treats for my son on occasion.
Our kids start school next week and I’ve looked at the school calendar and added the events my calendar to reduce the number of surprises.
Things will get easier.
**Hugs**
When I worked full time and ran the blog, I had a lot of those moments. And it almost always came down to me not completely reading something that was sent home. My kids’ school must think I’m the biggest flake. This year I am committed to doing much better, and it will start with reading every piece of paper that comes in the house, lol! It will get easier!
A huge thanks to everyone for supporting me on this. It’s good to know I’m not alone in being a bad mom…or well, you know what I mean.
Lee
Been there done that Girl! Don’t feel bad. Really! I think all mothers feel this at times. Overwhelmed and trying to juggle so many different jobs. Since I started blogging I have dropped the ball on so many things. I think every mother goes thru this at least a few times as a parent. We can only do the best we can and when we goof up or fail, we do better the next time. No need to beat yourself up. Believe me, every mother at one time or another has dropped the ball. Hang in there. It will get easier.
You are not a “worst mom”. Life gets busy and forget things, a lot of things. When I went back to work fulltime I just pushed things aside and said I’d get to them, yeah never happened. Sounds like you have it all figured out though. We all feel like failures but please know you are not. Hugs mama
You are most certainly not a bad mom, you’re just overwhelmed. All parents are. Working, being a wife, mother … doing it all lets things slip through the cracks. And perhaps whoever is picking him up after school should work on organizing anything he’s sent home with so that it reaches you. It could be a simple folder in his backpack.
So far our shining moment was forgetting to pick him up from the bus stop. Big Brother was in junior kindergarten last year so not allowed off bus unless an approved adult is there to meet him.
We had just had little brother 3 days prior. I was sleeping in bed and Tobei fell asleep on the couch. Next thing we know the phone is ringing and it`s the school bus company asking if anyone planned on picking up Big Brother. Lucky for us the bus driver knew we had JUST had a baby. So Tobei said be right there and as he opened the front door he saw the driver let Big Brother off the bus as we are 5 doors from the bus stop with no streets to cross.
Ya we felt like major fail parents. We also forget numerous spirit days and stuff last year since we were in survival mode with the newborn. I will do better this year.
Oh, I could go into all the ugly details, but I won’t, just know that my 17 year old daughter walked out of my house in the middle of the night, taking her clothes with her, to go live with her boyfriend. I was in total shock when it happened 20 years ago. It took me a long long time to come to terms with it, and thank goodness she is still with the same guy and very happy. But I felt like a total failure as a mother back then. As long as you have recognized your failure and have made a committment to fix it, you are gonna do ok.
It’s easy to get caught up in life, it’s good you recognize to put them at the top of the totem pole and I’m sure things will fall into place.
It is sooo easy to slip up and I’ve had my share lately! Evan started kindergarten and we are remodeling a house so lots is getting past me! Big hugs mama!
All moms have these moments! This too shall pass. It’s not like he missed an exam or anything. Get out your calendar and talk to his teacher, letting her know you are sorry you missed it, and ask her if there are upcoming dates you need to know about. Also, explain about your MIL picking up. I think you’ll feel better knowing you have a handle on things