I'm starting to feel seriously oppressed by The Man

duplo-windmill.jpgSo FINALLY Mike was accepted off the wait list for Kindergarten. For our local public school.

Did you catch that? He was put on the wait list for our neighborhood public school. That we pay tax dollars to. That we moved to this area to attend. Give me a break.

But now that I’ve gotten that off my chest, I have to admit that I’m only half-way happy. I mean, I’m glad he doesn’t have to go to a different kindergarten for a few days and then switch to his real school — because no joke that was what they were going to do to him.

But I’m just realizing how easy we’ve had it for 5 years.

We get to preschool when we get there. There’s no bell-ringing. There are no tardy slips.

But now we have to be at school at 8:15am on the dot, and if we’re late we have to go to the office and explain why. Now all of you out there with kids older than mine are nodding your head and quietly thinking I’m an idiot, but this hadn’t really occurred to me much at all before now.

So I’ve been practicing. Trying to get the kids to preschool by 8:15. And unfortunately all it takes is the smallest incident (Chip falling down and needing ice, Robbie not finding any Power Ranger underpants, Mike wanting to build “just one more” Lego contraption) and the whole schedule goes to hell.

Have I mentioned I cannot stand to have people tell me what to do?

Not news to, say, my mother (hi mom!), but it makes me so irritated when people stand back and presume to tell me what I need to do. And yes, I know that this is ridiculous in this case because, hey, I signed up to have them introduce him to Teh Schoolin’ but that doesn’t mean logic works on my brain.

So isn’t this going to be fun? Fortunately, I met all 4 kindergarten teachers last Spring and they all seem nice, and I’m frankly not at all worried about the teachers. But the administration? Don’t even get me started. The wait list was handled so… uniquely. I don’t want to go into it since I need to assimilate and play all nice with them, but… grrr.

So best foot forward and all that. Wish me luck. And send me your advice for dealing with the bureaucracy please. Sigh.


Oh, and just an aside for anyone who needs to, oh I don’t know, do a crapload of work on their computer at their, hmmm for example, job, the following song might be incredibly excellent to listen to. Compulsively. Over and over on your headphones.

I’m just saying.


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35 responses to “I'm starting to feel seriously oppressed by The Man”

  1. AbsolutelyBananas Avatar

    Oh yeah… good luck. I’m afraid you’re going to need it. I leave in fear of this moment. Seriously.

  2. Nell Avatar

    Ooh, I’m gearing up for the same morning crunch over here. Good luck. I have no advice to offer just yet, but if I find something that works (for mornings, for dealing with beaurocrats, etc.) I’ll let you know.

  3. Alex Elliot Avatar

    I didn’t even think about that! I have the next two years to practice. I know what you’re saying about the underwear. It’s a major crisis in our house if all the Sesame Street and Cars underwear are gone and we have to resort to the plain blue ones. That’s a guaranteed meltdown and a 5 minute delay right there.

  4. super des Avatar

    I worked in a school office as a temp for a week, and almost as common as the kids complaining to see the nurse about a tummy ache (it was right after Halloween) were the parents yelling at me because they were late bringing their kids in and they had to sign a slip explaining it. I agreed it was a stupid system, but I was still the one getting yelled at.

    Yeah, that job didn’t last.

  5. Melizzard Avatar

    I’m feeling ya! I realized the same thing last week and we started “practicing” this morning. Only we’re going to let her ride the bus so I’ve just got to get down to the end of the street by 7 freakin’ 30. I decided if I had to do that then the little one had to eat breakfast at pre-school, so we tried that today too.. she looked at me like I had lost my mind

  6. Maria P. Avatar
    Maria P.

    Okay so my kids start at 9:05am which actually kind of sucks so we just get up extra early and drop them off at childcare about an hour before school starts. It doesn’t matter if we are late there… there isn’t the psycho morning crowd… it is God’s gift to working parents.

    But yeah the school district has these crazy controlling attendence policy like no doctor/dentist appointments except emergencies during school hours – if you are sick you have to bring back a doctor’s note – don’t take family vacations during the school year etc. etc. It is really hard conforming to the district’s annoying rules that are much more rigid than when I was in school.

  7. Allison Avatar

    Today is the first day back for my 4. I remember transitioning from preschool to “real school” and the attendance rules. For us, we are allowed no more than 18 unexcused absences. So if your kid wakes up feeling icky but not sick enough to go to the doctor then you will get an unexcused absence. If you get 5 of these you get a warning notice in the mail. I just tear it up.

  8. bellevelma Avatar

    Was I just complaining to you about this very thing at the playground last night? You looked different then… Maybe it was somebody else. School starts in 2 weeks and I cannot get it in gear. I’ve got the school stuff, the supplies, the clothes, etc… but my ability to get up and get out the door at a reasonable time to not be late is sorely missing and I am very worried about getting in trouble with the principal as my son starts kindergarten. I am the mom who arrived at daycare and preschool at 10:00 or 10:30 or whenever I felt like it. It’s such a cruel world coming up.

  9. Nap Warden Avatar

    I know K-garten will sneak up on me….I try not to think about it! Good luck!

  10. karrie Avatar
    karrie

    Our preschool requires notice if we’re more than 5 minutes late either dropping off or picking up. I now usually get there early and sit in the parking lot for a few minutes clutching my iPhone. Beats feeling as if I’m going to get detention. :)

  11. Ivy Avatar

    I’ve always thought it would be cool if they had school for morning people and school for people who are night owls that started at, say, noon. My oldest son’s school starts at 8:00 AM and my younger daughter’s school starts at SEVEN THIRTY! ACK!

    The thing that really irritates me is that the older kids get out AFTER the younger kids, so if you work and rely on the older kids to watch the younger kids, you’re going to have to let the younger kids be by themselves for about a half hour. So stupid.

  12. Kris Avatar

    We’re getting a forced practice run this week, both boys are in camp and both have to be there by 9. When school starts, it’ll be 8 am. It’s painful, there’s no way around it.

    I’m with you on the “being told what to do” aversion. It’s not fun. Last year, first grade, one highlight was having to write down the date and title of every single book I read to my son. Annoying busy work for parents! Woo hoo!

  13. Abi Jones Avatar

    From a teacher’s perspective, there’s a heck of a lot to get done and kids coming late to school creates a distraction in the morning when everyone’s already had breakfast and is moving on to morning math. But there are also differences between K (less structure) and 3rd (ultra structured).

    I was lucky. I taught in a place where a lot of my students lived in one-room homes made of concrete blocks in neighborhoods called colonias.

    Yes, lucky. They got to school insanely early because their families were that serious about their kids not missing a single minute of education. Because that and becoming involved in the drug trade are pretty much the only ways to guarantee that you won’t live your entire life in the colonia.

  14. BirdieRoark Avatar

    It sounds like a great time for a family meeting about being on-time for school. Maybe make a list (with pictures) with everything they need to do in the morning (eat breakkie, brush teeth, get dressed, wear shoes). Better yet, have the boys come up with the list of things that they need to do in order to be ready in the morning.

    I use an egg-time a LOT at home. Set it for 5 minutes – D has to be dressed by then, or I pick out the clothes.

    Oh, and we always eat breakfast in the car. Funny how it takes him 25 minutes to eat a cup of yogurt at home, but he can down it in 6 minutes in the car. Haven’t figured that one out.

  15. laura Avatar

    LOL

    you think the administration is bad, wait until you face the Ones Who Are Really In Charge…the (dum-dum-DUM!!!!)Office Staff, a.k.a. the school secretary. the first time you breeze in to pick up your son for an appointment or to speak to the principal about a pressing matter you will see who truly has all the power. oh and watch out for the crossing guards and yard duty moms. They are like serious, scary transformers: sweet, loving moms outside of school but power crazed, whistle wielding drill sargeants on school property. don’t cross them because they just might hunt you down….i know this to be true because it happened to me. LOL

    seriously, my 5 y/o and i have enjoyed the leisure of preschool life too and tomorrow (his 1st day of school) we say goodbye to that slow, peaceful easy kind of life.

    sigh

    it is truly my last kindergarten experience. having sent off his 4 older sisters successfully and living to tell the tale, i know that he will be alright and i will, after some tears, survive.

    i’m glad you got into the school of your choice. i don’t miss that part of Bay Area life, not one bit.

  16. SarcasmAbounds Avatar

    I used to think that Homeschoolers were all religious zealots trying to imprint the Cult mentality on their kids, but as the day approaches when I will send mine off, I begin to think. . .hey, maybe not a bad idea. . .

    SA

  17. boogiemum Avatar

    We start Monday and I keep pretending like I am all set when secretly I have no idea how I am going to get everyone out of the house on time. especially me.

  18. Jean Avatar

    The challenge is jockeying in the carpool line with the crazy psycho moms that have to be there first. Afternoons are the worst as they will sit for almost an hour before school is even out just to be first in line.

    I always loved it when my husband would take the boy into the office to explain his/our tardiness. He always came up with some lame funny excuse. He loves to get a rise out of people.

    I have no advice whatsoever for sticking it to the man.

  19. Melina Avatar

    Good luck with the b/s bureaucracy, cuz though I don’t have kids I’ve seen it and heard about it from friends. All I can suggest is lots and lots of wine in the fridge.

    Just remember to breathe, deep breaths!!

  20. Redneck Mommy Avatar

    I’m not one to offer advice on dealing with bureaucratic asshats….My mad skills with the administration powers that be landed me in a shrinks office.

    But I will offer you good luck!!!

  21. MammaLoves Avatar

    Oh yeah! Morning routine and school days. Welcome to the club.

    And I LOVE that song.

  22. Nicole/wksocmom Avatar

    Oh I so hear you. We were supposed to be at preschool by 9, which I usually was as I have to, uh, go to work, but my husband was always late. But hey, it was fricken preschool so who cares? Funny, though as the one time he had a legit excuse (son cut himself) he was all bothered that she responded with “but you have been late a lot.”

    Now the starting time is 8:05, and I’m trying to explain that we have to plan for “emergencies” as they will happen EVERY day. I’m trying to set up a carpool, but then we’ll be responsible for 2 or 3 kids – aack!

  23. Wendy Avatar

    Time to find nice pj’s for everyone, the going-out kind, or sleep in your clothes?? Just tryin’ to save some time….

  24. Damselfly Avatar

    Wow, sounds like real school.

    I think 8:15 is way too early for a mortal to wrangle three boys and get them buckled into a vehicle and on time somewhere…. You should get a multi-child punctuality waiver.

  25. crunchycarpets Avatar

    Oh crap I forgot that part..I gotta get my oldest and my neighbours oldest there on time (8:40) and then get my youngest and the youngest neighbour to two different but side by side pre schools by 9 am.

    And do this pregnant…what an idiot I am.

  26. Kelly Avatar

    I’m still having trouble getting the wait list for Kindergarten part of the story.

    Anyway, does your area not bus Kindergartners? Ours does and in fact in the afternoon they drop them off at each one’s individual houses…at least for the first few weeks. It’s a little scary, I know, but after doing carpool for 3 straight years (7 if you include Mother’s Day Out), there is no way I’m giving up having my child hauled to school by someone else!

  27. homemom3 Avatar

    15 days here & they repeat the school year if they miss more. My problem is that people send their kids sick to school all the time, mine are the ones that come down with the week-at-home colds because of it. BTW- it sounds like we are the same way, hate being told what to do by the school. It should get easier after a month, that is as long as the school doesn’t keep changing things up…that’s what they kept doing with us.

  28. sherry Avatar

    I’m freaking out over the time thing. Hayley is ridiculously slow, even when she’s interested (and she is very excited about school so far). School here starts at 7:50 am so I’m guessing her bus pick-up will be about 7:30. Which means we have to be up at 6:45 at the latest. Gah! I’m not looking forward to it and I’m going to do a practice run next week.

  29. Esther Avatar
    Esther

    I remember my parents weren’t the best about getting me to school on time (often with my assistance) and now that I think about how hard it is just to get my a$$ out of bed every morning for work, I can’t even imagine how hard it must be for you! Anyway, BEST of luck — you’ll be fine, I’m sure. Practice runs are always a great idea, I’ve heard that before.

    And by the way, I LOVE that song. Very addictive.

  30. PeggyM Avatar

    My advice is get friendly with a mom or two who is well connected in the parent community of the school. They can help you navigate the system better than anyone with the minimal amount of effort on your part (speaking from my own experience!). Not to mention they have all the good gossip on the teachers and parents that can be useful. Of course, you should probably set your clocks a few minutes ahead to help you get there before the bell!

  31. Sandy Avatar
    Sandy

    You’re all wimps about the time. Our elem. starts at 7:40, bus picks up at 6:53! My kids don’t understand why they have to go to bed when it’s still light outside!

  32. MommaSteph Avatar

    What the…I had no IDEA you could be denied a slot at a public kindergarten!

    Thanks for the heads-up, I’d better see if that happens around here. SHEESH!

    (PS I hate the idea of being cowed by school people into being on time, having my kids there every day, blah blah…and yet, I used to be a teacher, and random absences and tardiness drove me nuts!)

  33. Jazz Avatar

    I fear K. I really do. Pre-K has been OK. But like you said, once you’re in K, you’ve got to follow the rules. GOOD Luck my friend!

  34. Wendy Piersall Avatar

    Remind me to show you the TWO PAGE letter I got from my kids’ school principal last year for not getting my kids to school on time (I kid you not.)!

  35. leendalu Avatar

    Oh, we are dealing with the same thing here but the twins’ school starts at 7:45 on. the. dot. and the bus comes at 7:15. Did I mention that I’m not a morning person? I don’t think I’ll survive, at all.

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