Today I will be attending my last ever Back to School Luncheon at my youngest son’s elementary school. His last year before junior high (Gasp!) also marks the beginning of the end of my long and not so illustrious career as a Room Mom. I’m feeling a bit nostalgic about leaving Highlands – our school home for so many years. Um, not feeling quite so bad about giving up the Room Mom post.
I am what my husband not-so-affectionately refers to as a “joiner.” Need someone to serve on the Auction Dinner committee; be the Girl Scout Service Unit Treasurer; co-chair the swim team awards “committee” (actually my friend Suzanne and I spent many a pleasant summer morning at the pool affixing labels to ribbons while drinking coffee and chatting); sell raffle tickets; coordinate the Book Fair, etc.? I was your girl!
However, I really wanted nothing to do with being a Room Mom. Why, might you ask? Because I have not a single creative impulse when it comes to dreaming up kid activities. Not one. And I began my Room Mom career so long ago that it predates Pinterest.
It all started 12 years ago when my daughter was starting 1st grade and I got a call from the Home and School President telling me that I needed to be a room mom because Annie’s class was short volunteers. I gave her all the usual excuses for not having the time; “I’m a business owner.” “I have a special needs child at home.” “Did I mention that I’m 8 ½ months pregnant?” She wouldn’t take no for an answer and my career coming up with relay races involving straws and toilet paper commenced. I’m still not creative, but God came to my rescue with the previously mentioned Pinterest and a bounty of very imaginative Room Mom compatriots.
Next year will be a year of firsts. My youngest will be going to junior high school. My oldest son will start high school. And my oldest will be going off to college.
Please tell me they don’t have Room Moms in college.