Commitment. A few times a week, Bossy and her other carpooling neighbors deliver the kids to school so they can participate in before-school activities, such as band and chorus.
It’s difficult to wake up in the dark, and worse to eat breakfast when you’re not even hungry — but the kids in the local public schools take pride in their schools’ music program, which enjoys a higher than average percentage of student involvement.
Bossy didn’t participate in much of anything growing up; it already felt like a hardship to take two subways to school, uphill both ways, in the icy cold of June and the blistering heat of February. So it warms Bossy’s heart that her daughter has inherited her commitment from her brother.
Which doesn’t stop Bossy from groaning in the chilly car on the way to school to drop off the assortment of kids. But then she watches her daughter cross the pedestrian bridge that leads to the middle school, and she is filled with pride. Or maybe that feeling is exhaustion.
motherofbun says
October 17, 2008 at 8:49 amI need a nap just reading about how early Bossy’s daughter wakes up.
corrie says
October 17, 2008 at 9:11 amThat does look too dark to be awake…yawn…
Of course it must be exhaustion~
But one filled with pride!
Heide says
October 17, 2008 at 9:24 amI’m a night person, so getting up at 6 to get The Offspring to kindergarten was brutal for the first few weeks this fall. I’ve gotten used to getting up in the dark, though, and then I get to see the sun come up. This morning we watched the moon set on the drive to school. I try to remember to appreciate these things in between the gaping yawns….
Surcie says
October 17, 2008 at 9:43 amI’m a total slacker, and I don’t know how good I’ve got it. My son doesn’t have to be at his kindergarten until 9, so we sleep until 7:30.
My Name is Cat says
October 17, 2008 at 9:55 amI, too, was a bit of a joining slacker growing up, so it is really important to me for my kids to do extracurricular stuff, even when it means I have to get up at 4:15 on Saturday morning to catch a school bus for a 3 hour drive to a Debate tournament. Ugh!
Lisa says
October 17, 2008 at 10:56 amAwww, Boss–your a good mama for doing all that for her. I am usually at the ready, here..early also..coffee-check..slippers..check..bed head…check..morning breath..check..
embarassing my son with the hideousness of his lovely morning mother–
priceless.
Lisa
coastal nest
jan8mr.lootiato says
October 17, 2008 at 12:00 pmNow that is definately a Bridge to SOMEWHERE.
Good for her…good for you…good for bossys son for setting the goals.
David says
October 17, 2008 at 12:13 pmI took band and choir in middle school and had to get up for the early bus 4 out of 5 mornings each week. Then 5 out of 5 when high school WAS the early bus. Once I hit college I vowed early mornings would be a thing of the past.
7AM is an early morning for me these days. And I am committed to that.
Lisa` says
October 17, 2008 at 12:28 pmKids remember how much their parents participated in their lives. They will mention it at our funeral.
the book ladi says
October 17, 2008 at 12:46 pmYou’re a good mommma Bossy. My daughter is in the color guard 2nd year high school band. Practice 3 hours a night 5 days a week. 8 hours on Sat. and than competitions Sat. night. I complain about the schedule all week and cry like a baby watching my daughter and her band mates fight their way to state finals every Sat. GO MARCHING BOBCATS!!!!
Mandy - yes I comment here every.day. says
October 17, 2008 at 2:54 pmIt does suck to take kids to school in the dark. What’s suckier is then having to drive to work when I really wanna drive back home and straight into my bedroom so I could just roll down the window and flop out onto my bed and go back to sleep. I did the before school activities, but not until high school when I had to drive myself. And the only reason I did that is because if you took a before school class you got to leave early. So in essence I traded in that hour I had to get up earlier for the three hour nap I could take after school before my mother got home and started blabbering about cleaning my room and doing homework.
P.S. Bossy has great kids.
foolery says
October 17, 2008 at 11:29 pmHOORAY FOR BAND GEEKS!
I was an unrepentant band geek. My daughters show signs of that future. Striving is good. Embracing the arts is better. Go Bossy Daughter go!
Cheri @ Blog This Mom! says
October 18, 2008 at 2:02 pmThat photograph is priceless.
On another matter, I was able to resuscitate yesterday’s READER, katydidnot, after some effective mouth-to-mouth and well-delivered breast, er, um, chest, yes, chest, chest compressions.
Louise B Stowers says
October 18, 2008 at 11:11 pmWell done.
xxxooo, Noah’s Mommy
a.k.a. Weedie Stowers on your friends request list on FB
Alpaca Farmgirl says
October 19, 2008 at 8:45 amThanks for the glimpse into your urban life. Mine’s so rural/semi-suburban. After homeschooling for five years, now the kids go to school on the bus. Quite a change. Thinking about going to school on the subway…hard to imagine. Never lived anywhere with a subway.
Ris says
October 20, 2008 at 8:03 amOh bossy, this practically made me cry. Or maybe that’s just because I’m up early myself because of that “commitment” stuff.