THAT parent.

you know, THAT parent?

the one who's there at almost every pick up and drop off, the one who knows parents of students on a first name basis, the one who the teacher knows by name?

the one who engages in extra-curricular activities, volunteers at school and tries to know absolutely everything about what's going on?

the one who fumes when they hear about a classroom quarrel, the one who is in constant contact with the teacher and the one who will report to the principal if things do not seem right?

THAT parent, is me.

see, when i was growing up, i'd be lucky if the same person was picking me up from school on the same day. i'd be lucky if my mom or dad could come along for a field trip. i'd be lucky if they could come watch a school play or volunteer at school. but that wasn't the case for me. that is why i'm THAT parent. 

as children grow, they learn what it means to be independent and how to speak up for themselves. some are outspoken from day one and others shy away so as not to create conflict. 

PARENTS: you are your child's only advocate!

while i COMPLETELY understand it is every parent's dream to be totally involved, it is without a doubt, very difficult if not impossible to achieve. because i am so blessed with the work schedule i am able to maintain, i throw myself right into my daughter's school life because i want to set an example and a standard for her. i want her to know that as much as she's learning the foundation of independence at this early age, i will always stand behind her and be a support system for her.

people may scoff at my attitude about parent's involvement in their child's schooling, but i can't express how important that is. teachers are not babysitters: they are building the foundation for future doctors, lawyers, farmers, plumbers and bakers. but, it is not without the parent that these little people will become amazing adults. school is only 50% of learning. the other 50% comes from repetition and implementation and it is up to us parents to make that happen.

no matter how your life runs, look for THAT parent in you!

i found some amazingly inspirational quotes that i'd like to share with you! take from them what you will:

“Live so that when your children think of fairness and integrity, they think of you.” 

- H. Jackson Brown

“Affirming words from moms and dads are like light switches. Speak a word of affirmation at the right moment in a child’s life and it’s like lighting up a whole roomful of possibilities.”

- Gary Smalley

“What a child doesn’t receive he can seldom later give.”

- P.D. James

“Life affords no greater responsibility, no greater privilege, than the raising of the next generation.” 

- C. Everett Koop

“You don’t really understand human nature unless you know why a child on a merry-go-round will wave at his parents every time around – and why his parents will always wave back.”

- William D. Tammeus

“If I had my child to raise all over again, I’d build self-esteem first, and the house later. I’d finger-paint more, and point the finger less. I would do less correcting and more connecting. I’d take my eyes off my watch, and watch with my eyes. I’d take more hikes and fly more kites. I’d stop playing serious, and seriously play. I would run through more fields and gaze at more stars. I’d do more hugging and less tugging.“

- Diane Loomans