(published today on Mad Manic Mamas)
8.15 this morning, I manage to shove my 13 year old out the door, wave at the window then breathe. I fasten my dressing gown belt a bit tighter, pull up a chair and decide to treat myself to some blog reading.
Five minutes later my mobile rings. It’s the boy.
Him: “I’m on my way home. It’s non-uniform day for Haiti. Get some clothes ready for me”
Me: “Oh right. Will do”.
I run upstairs, pulling off dressing gown and kicking off slippers as I go, race into his room to find jeans, different socks, suitable T-shirt. Then it dawns on me there is no way he is going to get changed in time to go back out and walk to the bus stop again. So run into my room, yank pyjamas off, find knickers, pull them on, inside out, discover they’re from yesterday. Bugger. Find jeans, jumper, look in mirror, shriek, boy yells up the stairs, changes into clothes. I get car keys, find boots, coat, get car out of garage, yell at boy who is rearranging his hair and deciding which trainers look best. Swear. Order him to the car. Drive to bus-stop. Bus already gone. Swear again. Drive 20 minutes through heavy traffic into town, hoping I’m not recognised. Get to school, late and frazzled.
Me: “So was it really that important for you to change into non-uniform?”
Him: “Yeah….I joined a Facebook group yesterday called ‘Don’t you always laugh at the kid who turns up in uniform on non-uniform day’.
Damn these facebook groups! He's right though, it was so uncool to turn up in your uniform on non-uniform days.
Love it!! Facebook groups are taking over our kids thinking!
Amy has "wear your own clothes for Haiti" day tomorrow. She's doing a sponsored non-stop music afternoon which I think might involved lots of dancing.
CJ xx
Ah, it was for a great cause though! You both did a good thing today!
Don't you just love 'em! Think I might ban mine from Facebook if that's the kind of morning they cause!
That was above and beyond the call of duty – he is a very lucky boy!
Just as well it was for a good cause! The things we do for them eh?
Had me giggling esp about the knickers – sorry my mind just works that way! Glad he saved face though!
we laugh but these are so important to them, aren't they?
Thanks for all your comments – I feel better knowing what a wonderfully unselfish act it was! I even gave him a lift in today too as had to be in town for 9am anyway. It was pouring with rain and he was so pleased as he could have an extra 10 minutes in bed.
Trish – you have my life! And my 13 year old son! It's as if I'm reading my own words!
Mine had a mufti day this week too – it reminded me, as we left, 20 minutes late and STILL bending like pretzels to check out reflections in every shiny surface, why I am so grateful for uniforms.
And they're not even teenagers yet…
Oh God, I've got it all to come! Thankfully, mine are still blissfully ignorant of what 'cool' means. Which is a mercy, as their fashion sense is definitely leaning towards the nerdy (my son does up ALL the buttons on his polo shirt, right to the very top). I blame the parents!
Perhaps there a "I drove my son to school through town hoping no-one would recognise me for Haiti" group on Facebook?
Have tagged you for a Sunshine award over at my place. xx
Been away for a few days in London so only just reading these extra comments:
ELS – mine seems to look at his reflection in the glass lid of the cooker!
NWBI – oh I think that is rather fashionable in a Gavin from Gavin & Stacey kind of way.
Iota – excellent idea. I shall start it!
V Bored – ooh I've never received an award before. That's lovely, thank you x
Loved your description about your scramble to get dressed. We all have those days!