Drama from your Mama?

You can rest assured that, when I tell you that I hate drama, I tell you the truth. So how is it, then, that I end up with the 2 of the most over-dramatic children I have ever met?

I speak of my 5 year old male and 4 year old female offspring. My oldest, and most, how should I say it......... dynamic of my 4 children. Thus far. :-/

These two fly off the handle when "hit" over the head with a foam knee mat by their 2 year old sister. They scream bloody murder at the slightest hint of foul weather. Their screams rival those of old school horror flicks when someone darest not to share the hot toy of the hour......I could go on, but I sense your annoyance already.

Understand that I know they are children and, being as such, can not be expected to behave as adults. I know this. This is not what I expect. What I do expect is that my near 6 year old son should be able to have a day pass where he hasn't lost his mind over the most ridiculous of sibling offenses. Or parental "offenses", for that matter. What I do expect is that my precious daughter should not be screaming in fictional agony every single time she comes in contact with an unforeseen obstacle.

Have I set my expectations too high? They are my eldest, and therefore, my first children and every experience with them is a first for me. For this reason I realize that perhaps I'm just naive in the ways of the small fry, but this can't really be normal, can it?

Don't get me wrong, I love my kids and all their strange idiosyncrasies. I do understand that they can only play with the hand they've been dealt (I've never claimed to be a perfectly level citizen). I've tried everything from ignoring offensive behavior to acting immediately to correct it with either outpourings of sympathy (for "wounds") or swift justice (for "wounds" inflicted), all to no avail. The drama just plays on......and on......and on.....

Am I alone out there? Are there any other parents in the great blue yonder reading this now and saying: "What in the blazes?!? This woman can see into my house!"? If you're out there, could you help a Mama out? Any suggestions/encouraging words from those in the trenches are appreciated, just leave them stage right. I'll pick them up during intermission.

It's not easy being green.

I am the first to admit, I am new to this whole "parent of a student" thing. Gone are the days of knowing everything my son is doing at any given moment of any given day. Now is the time of behaviors unseen, words unheard, and friends unmet and, believe me, I realize these times are here to stay. My son is only 3 years old and I have already lost most of what little control I had over the boy and all his shenanigans.

But I digress. Returning to my original thought, I attended my first PTO meeting the other day. Now, as it was my first, perhaps what I experienced was not the norm. Perhaps I came on a bad night for, let's see, EVERY other parent of a child in the school! Even the teachers couldn't be troubled to show up. (Although I was informed that the teachers are usually the only ones who show) The meeting consisted of the PTO President, Vice President, and myself (who sat on the floor the entire time as we met in the entrance to the school).

Ok, I have to pause here to say: "WHAT?!?"

Again, I know I'm new to this whole scene and some of those not so green in shade are probably not in the least bit surprised at the second paragraph but, again, I'M NEW! :-) Is this the norm in schools these days? I know it's not earth shattering topics being covered in these meetings but come on! I learned that these meetings are to plan fun things for the kids and acts of gratitude by means of free food and small gifts for the teachers. If you ask me, doing things to show our appreciation for all the teachers do (and put up with, quite frankly) is very important. With times as they are these days, teachers all over the state are overworked, underpaid, and some even fear for their jobs on a daily basis. Anyone in that type of working environment deserves a little "pick me up" from time to time. If we (the parents) won't do it, who will? Think about it, mom and dad. These people take care of our children for 3 to 7 hours a day; teaching them, leading them, protecting them and we can't be troubled to buy them some bagels and cream cheese once a month? Please!

Maybe it's because I married a teacher that I take such offense to this meeting's dismal turnout. Not a day goes by that I don't thank the Lord above that he works for a private school. (Not that they are problem free, but that's another day, another rant.) However, I don't think it takes the eyes of a teacher's wife to see that something is wrong with this picture. Teachers have sacrificed much for the future of the human race since their inception; don't you think they deserve a few tokens of our gratitude?

Parents, teachers, please tell me this is not the story district after district. PTO and PTA Presidents, mend my viewpoint and tell me the above is unique to my school group. Certainly this isn't the case around the country; right?