It was a Friday night, and Stanton and I were having the typical Friday night of a 40-something, married-15-years couple with two school-age kids.
Were we sitting at a table for two at the new local restaurant we’ve been wanting to try, sharing tapas and intimate conversation?
Uh-uh.
Perhaps we were preparing a delicious at-home dinner together, adorably tag-teaming in our own kitchen, a bottle of red aerating on the counter while nearby, Grace and Anna played one of their new Christmas-present board games?
Nope; try again.
It was a Friday night, and Stanton was watching a YouTube video on “how to French braid, step by step for beginners.”
I, on the other hand, had emergency-FaceTimed my sister, with questions regarding liquid eyeliner and blush brushes.
Meanwhile, Grace observed the two of us, her mom and dad, with an expression of increasingly diminishing confidence.
In the fall, Grace had tried out for her middle school’s musical, and got a spot in the ensemble. Now, it was the night before the first dress rehearsal of “Shrek The Musical JR.,” and we were reviewing Grace’s hair and makeup requirements, which included French braids and stage makeup.
“Mom…”
“I’m sorry, honey, I never learned how to French braid,” I said. I glanced at Stanton, who was frowning at his phone in total concentration. My husband looked Situation Room-ready. “But Dad is very good at following directions. He’ll figure this out.”
“What about my makeup?”
Agh. I rarely wear makeup, let alone stage makeup, but was taking detailed notes from my sister. “I’ll figure it out too.”
Grace continued to look…unconvinced.
My husband looked Situation Room-ready.
My daughters are now 12 and almost-9. During this season in my parenting experience, the main challenges for me are mostly logistics-related—getting Grace to “Shrek” rehearsals on time, while doing the same for Anna and her twice-weekly soccer practices (and two other after-school activities). I recognize we could cut back on some of these commitments, but the girls truly love what they’re involved in.
Some of these activities, interestingly, include a “parent volunteer requirement.” (Sounds low-level threatening, amirite?)
😉
A recent parent volunteer requirement found me on the publicity committee for “Shrek.” In this role, I spread the word about the musical via social media, took pictures at the first dress rehearsal (yes, Stanton figured out French braids in time!), and hung up “Shrek” flyers around our community.
For an entire week, I kept stacks of these lime-green flyers in my tote bag, along with Scotch tape. Wherever I went (local restaurants, shops, grocery stores, etc.), I asked employees if I could hang up my flyer, on behalf of my older daughter’s middle school. I ended each plea with, “And I brought my own Scotch tape!”
One day, I went to work, grabbed a quick lunch at Perfect Blend, and then hustled to the middle school to pick up Grace a little early, for an appointment.
In the waiting room, I opened my bag and saw, of course, the lime-green flyers.
“Huh,” I said, looking around. “Does this place have a community board?”
“Mom!” Grace’s eyes bugged out. “Please don’t ask anyone here about ‘Shrek.'”
OK, Grace, OK. (Even though I have my own Scotch tape…)
I feel a lot of gratitude for this season in my life. The days feel very full, but all the pieces seem to fit (at last!).
Piecing everything together—work schedules, family commitments, all the running around that comes with life—takes a little time sometimes.
A little time, and a YouTube tutorial or two.
Photo credit: Pixabay
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Melissa Leddy 