Tonight was our first Back to School Night we’ve experienced as parents. It was kind of cool to sit at Parker’s desk and put myself in his physical position for an hour. It will help me place him when he recounts happenings in his classroom. We went over the curriculum, fundraiser, and Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) which is what I’m most excited about. That, and being a chaperone for field trips. Did I volunteer for both? You bet your buttons I did! Do I know what I’m getting into? Absolutely not but if there is anything I can do to support Parker in school, I’m game for it. 

Reflecting on my earlier elementary school years, most of the girls I hung out with had mothers that regularly volunteered in the classroom or on field trips. It sounds cheesy but I wanted to have my mother as well to meet my friends and give us all mid-day hugs. I remember my mother chaperoning one field trip. I think I was in fifth or sixth grade. I was soooo excited. I kept telling my classmates “That’s my mom over there. Yeah, she’s pretty cool.” Now that I think about it, it may have been more obvious that I realized that she was my mother as I was the only Black child in my class. My mind didn’t think about things like that back then. All I knew was my mom was there and I was excited. That was a special moment for me that I’ll always remember.  

I don’t know yet what type of commitment the PTO will be, but we will make it work. Brian and I are fortunate to have jobs that offer flexibility when it comes to family life. I never thought I’d have the opportunity to be a parent who can be involved in school activities. I’m hoping we continue to be blessed so that as the boys get older, I can be present in their other activities as well.