Strollerderby
Confessions of a Hooky Playing Mama
As an education junkie and lover of all things school, my twin daughters’ Kindergarten debut was all that we hoped. Their bright eyes and sweet little uniforms and overburdened backpacks signalled the beginning of an auspicious and successful educational career.
Or so we thought.
As day after day of waking up early and driving hither and yon began to sink in, our collective enthusiasm waned somewhat. Add to that early reports that one twin was floundering under the watchful and quite structured framework of the private Episcopal School we’d chosen. She was becoming a sullen preacher lady presiding over each groggy breakfast with pronouncements about hating school, wanting to stay home, and thinking everything was boring, chapel notwithstanding.
Enter the first head cold. I was relieved to have an excuse to keep her home with me. Then a snow day, then an early departure for a weekend. And before I knew it, playing hooky was becoming a part of our routine.
A beloved part.
Today school was delayed for 2 hours due to snow in our town. As I breathed a sigh of relief and we all lay around in our pajamas playing with legos and singing songs, it occurred to me that the joy of playing hooky might not be the best lesson to teach my young girls.
On the other hand, it is one of life’s satisfactions. Time will tell whether this is teaching them to be laid back, or to disregard structure and rules.
Sigh.
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7 Comments
Anonymous commented on Jan 01 70 at 12:00 amRedsy – sounds as if you may be a wanna be homeschooler in denial. ?? The thing with playing hooky and that togetherness with your children you feel quilty about is really a gift, and what you see as just playing legos is really quite a learning experience in and of itself. It took me years to embrace homeschool myself – this is our 3rd school year after many years in public school – and a day doesn’t go by that I regret our decision to bring the kids home. =)
Anonymous commented on Jan 01 70 at 12:00 amYou lock that door and pull up the covers or head to the playground, Red. Sometimes it’s good to have matronly creds because I can say that hooky is good, period. We’re big believers. My three get two mental health days they can pull out and use, too. Our last stolen day? We spent the day skiing. Gotta space ‘em out so they stay precious, which is what makes them effective.
Anonymous commented on Jan 01 70 at 12:00 amWhat Mamma Loves said.
Anonymous commented on Jan 01 70 at 12:00 amI have to say, I wonder why you’re paying to send your daughter somewhere she doesn’t want to be. Maybe the school is just not a good fit for her?
Anonymous commented on Jan 01 70 at 12:00 amBoth lessons (being laid back, disregarding structure and rules) are well worth learning.
Anonymous commented on Jan 01 70 at 12:00 amSome of my favorite memories as a kid are playing hooky with my mom.
cryitout commented on Jan 01 70 at 12:00 amIn the third grade, I spent two straight months at home with an illness, and I’m sure by the end of it my mom gave serious thought to selling me. That said, kids love hooky just as much – maybe more so.
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