I wasn't going to be a Soccer Mom. You know, the one driving the bumper stickered mini-van filled with a bunch of kids, talking on her cell phone, driving all over creation just so her kids can play sports, instruments or swing some pom poms around. Don't get me wrong, I would like Leah to experience new things and try different activities, but I don't feel like she needs to do EVERYTHING. But I was wrong. That typical Mom hasn't necessarily over scheduled her children. In fact, as I have just recently found out, even doing one thing for your kids is overkill.
First, let me point out that Joe and I have welcomed a foreign exchange student into our home. It has been a week since S. moved in and all is going very well. She is friendly, sweet and has fit into our family perfectly. She will be attending high school (HS) here and will spend the next ten months in our home.
Just yesterday I took S over to the private HS she will be attending to try out for the soccer team. She did well and was excepted onto the team. She worked out with the other girls from 2 - 4 p.m. Before we left I asked the coach when would the next practice be. You know what the answer was? 6 - 8 p.m. THAT SAME NIGHT. WHAT?
So this is what our schedule is like until S starts school next Wednesday:
1:40 p.m. Drive 8.5 miles to the HS for start of practice at 2 p.m.
2:00 p.m. Drive 8.5 miles back home with Leah (or find something in the local area to do for two hours).
3:40 p.m. Drive 8.5 miles back to HS to pick S up.
4:00 p.m. Drive 8.5 miles back home
4:20 p.m. Prepare dinner
5:00 p.m. Eat dinner
5:40 p.m. Drive 8.5 miles to the HS for start of practice at 6 p.m.
6:00 p.m. Drive 8.5 miles back home
7:40 p.m. Drive 8.5 miles back to HS to pick S up.
8:00 p.m. Drive 8.5 miles back home
8:20 p.m. Finally get home
So, if your teenager is involved with just ONE sport or activity, this is your potential schedule. No wonder the typical American family doesn't eat dinner together anymore!
15 comments:
Yikes!
I want to be an atypical American family!!
At least it is only for a week??? Oh my!
YIKES! I'm going to have to buy stock in gas. That's insane!
Wow! You're a wonderful "mom" to chauffer your exchange student around like that. I'm with you on the whole not overscheduling kids thing, but apparrently it doesn't take much to keep them very busy. How is she supposed to get her homework done?
Oo! Is it too late to back out? This may be why my parents helped me buy a car after I got my first job when I was 16!
Wha? That's nutty. Hope that doesn't last long (meaning that crazy schedule AND soccer season). Bet you're praying for rain.
You're a good woman and hostess.
Welcome to the world of teenagers! And to think I had 5 teenagers all at one time. When I was finally down to just 1.. we also had a foreign exchange student for 10 months. Luckily, she participated in swimming just like my own daughter who could drive. Whew!!
You'll do great and when the games start.. I'm sure you'll be there cheering her on as well as being very PROUD when she does well.
Ouch...better get a big coffee traveling mug! Gonna need it.
Good on you though. It must be really great to have a new person in the house.
Keep smilin!
CROCKPOT1 That's the best I've got.
Crazy isn't it. Then what if you had a couple teens into the mix?
Here you have a sneek preview of things to come. Well, maybe.
BTW, I have exciting news in my blog!
Yep, this is why, even though I never thought I'd be the type of parent to buy my kids a car, we bought my stepson a (used, at least) car. Otherwise, we'd be chasing him around night and day, just for football. The coach springs last minute work-outs and practices on the kids all the time. High school football is completely insane. At least those double workouts only last until school starts.
You know what they say you can't beat them, then join them. I'm a soccer Mom and proud of it. It's unavoidable, especially with 3 kids.
Hee hee. I'm a little worried that we are going to have to go for the minivan as our family gets bigger. Even one kid in a carseat doesn't fit well in the Jetta!
P.S. We are adopting from China as well! DTC = whenever our I171H comes in!
You're so wonderful to bring this new person into your home!
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