by Denise Berger (Around the Watercooler - Mommy Tracked)
Remember this scene in the
all-time classic movie,
When Harry Met Sally? Harry (Billy
Crystal) metaphorically uses a dog to explain an error in their
ways and Sally (Meg Ryan) promptly and indignantly responds with,
"Who is the dog, Harry? I am? Am I the dog??" Well, I
feel like Sally these days... only, not necessarily with a
significant other, but with my kids!!! As they get older (nine and
seven years old), they exert such strong opinions... and usually
against something that I have done for their well-being!!! Why? We
moms try so hard to give our elementary school kids exposure to
many different activities, in hopes that a) something sticks, about
which they can write a college application essay, to say the least,
and/or b) we give them something to do that does not involve some
kind of screen and keeps them occupied between the hours that they
get out of school and we get home from work - tennis, golf, karate,
gymnastics, dance, music, soccer, basketball, baseball, religious
school, art, tutoring, after-school care, whatever, pick your
poison, your vice, their passion?? We all do it. We do. And yet,
where is the appreciation, the gratitude, the thanks for a job well
done? Instead, I feel like I get kicked. And moms, worse yet, just
today I got blamed for signing my kids up for something that my
husband insisted they do! Why am I the punching bag? Why am I the
dog??
My friend, who has a three year old and one year old, is
overwhelmed by the preschool and kindergarten applications that
already beseech her. Why is she putting herself through all of this
craziness? So her kids can receive a good education and reach their
full potentials during their lifetimes. There are many days when I
feel overwhelmed by the paperwork and logistics and the oversight
and the coaching and the whining and the organization of it all.
Sure, we have our own motives for signing up our children for “fun”
activities, but shouldn’t our kids be appreciative of the
opportunities that we offer to them?
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