Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Trying to Measure Up

So today was our first field trip with k12. It was an outing to the Children's Museum. The plan was to meet the teacher at 11:30 for a 20 min one on one and give her a chance to talk to the girls. Then the other families were to get there around noon and it would be a picnic in the park, then into the museum while the teacher had her one on ones with the other families.

So I was going to make a nice sack lunch for each of the kids before leaving but the morning got really crazy and I was running late so I decided I would just pick something up after I had the teacher meeting. When I got there I realized I had gone to the wrong place and that I had no idea where I was supposed to go. There was one other car in the parking lot and so I asked the couple if they could give me directions. The man was very kind and started to give me directions but after I asked a couple questions like " and how do I get to that street" he very sweetly just said I could just follow him. He looked at his wife and said " let's go for a drive". He then drove clear across town just so I could follow him and get where I needed to go. It was just so sweet for him to take 30 min out of his day just for me. I felt like God had sent him to me so that I could get the kids to the event in time for at least the picnic and the museum. After he had shown me where it was I quickly had to find a place to pick up food. Luckily there was a Burger King close by so we went there and grabbed some burgers and then went to the picnic. We did end up missing the meeting with the teacher but she was very understanding and it turned out that later we were able to talk with her anyway.

At the picnic there were several other moms there and a couple dads. When it was time to eat, of course, I was the only one handing out fast food burgers. One mom had a nice noodle salad that she pulled out of a cooler along with cheese sticks and sliced apples. She served her kids their food in real dishes with silverware. No paper plates or throw away anything. Another mom gave her little boy his sandwich and I noticed it was cut in the shape of a dinosaur. Then there I am handing out burgers and fries. Immediately I felt like I just didn't measure up and how they were just so together. Then I decided to just laugh at myself and go on. I told myself that I wouldn't have to wash out lunch dishes when I got home and my children were never going to be served dinosaur shaped sandwiches from me. I figure if they are hungry they can eat a normal sandwich. I mean we don't even cut off the crust.

What is it though that makes me take notice and then compare myself to what they are doing? Is it a competitive type thing? Am I hoping to fit in? Am I worried what they think of me? I really have no idea. Do other moms go through this same type of thing when they have shindigs?

The kids all had a great time. Emily immediately found a friend whom she talked with on and off the whole time, Abbie had a great time in the museum running from one thing to another with Emily, and Jack was just loving every minute. He loved going on the train they had, loved the kitchen area with pretend food, tried on a bee costume, made huge bubbles, played on the swingset, and was just generally very busy.

We all came home quiet tired but then had to get busy right away on getting the house in order and after that I had about an hour before it was time to start making dinner. Very long day!

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