Wendy White Lees
I’ve known Wendy White Lees for over 2 years now and have always been drawn to her wisdom, wit and interesting perspective on everyday life in the ‘burbs and beyond. I’m happy to feature her as this week’s contributor to mom a la mode:
Wendy is an editor, blogger, fiction writer and copy writer (you likely have read some of her work on the back of such video box sets as Tales from the Crypt or Little House on the Prairie; or on the animal exhibit signage at Zoo Atlanta.) She has one husband, two daughters, three or more issues and occasionally leaves the house.
It’s back to school time and my house is just around the around the corner from the school. So I get to bear witness to the many ways students, accompanied by their moms, make their way towards another school year.
Grasping their mommy’s hand for assurance.
Shooing their Mommy’s hand away, because a mother’s hand is embarrassing.
Running ahead to join their friends, leaving their mom trailing behind.
Helping mommy push toddler siblings in the double-stroller that takes up the full width of the sidewalk.
Walking side-by-side, both mother and child seemingly issue-free.
Racing against the second-hand, pulled by their mother’s last minute hand, out of their mini-van which is parked just slightly blocking my driveway.
Usually, I don’t mind if my car is trapped. It’s not like I’m going anywhere right away. I’m still in my pajamas. Cause my kids walk to school by themselves. Well, not quite by themselves. A crossing guard, equipped with a “good-morning” smile and a hand-held stop sign makes sure they make it past the halfway point safely. After that, they’re on their own. But in a crowd of other school-goers and parents, my girls are like peanut butter on a PB&J sandwich, they stick where they are supposed to.
My oldest informs me that another third grade girl gets to ride her scooter to school and asks why I won’t let them do that. I don’t tell her why. I just tell her no. I am not really sure why I think sending my kid to school on wheels is riskier than sending them out the door without me.
I do still walk to school in the afternoon to pick them up. Yesterday, along the way, I chat with the dad who lives next-door to me. His son is the same age as my oldest daughter.
“When do you think our kids will be old enough to walk home by themselves?” I ask.
“Not sure. We enjoy walking with him, though. “
I can tell this is a question that has never entered his mind, and I feel guilty that it has repeatedly entered mine.
Maybe if I was more like that seemingly issue-free mom that glides past my house every morning, I would be more eager to traipse the block and half between my house and the school. But I have issues. An overloaded backpack worth of issues. And when I’m on the sidewalk or on the school blacktop, it’s harder to keep them invisible.
I know every mom must have issues. Some just seem able to wear them more effortlessly – like a Prada bag or designer sweater from Neiman Marcus lightly draped on their shoulders. Mine weigh on me like they come in bulk quantity from Costco. Is carrying them differently just a skill I never learned?
So, yes, walking (or wheeling) to school by yourself can be daunting. Not so much for my kids. But for me.
{Wendy White Lees’ flash fiction short stories and other works can be found on Scribd.}
Leave a Reply