I anticipated a tight schedule that morning. We needed to drop off her father at the airport and return home before 12:35. I managed to drop her off at 12:32, which made me feel quite accomplished.
Afterward, I spent the next two hours tidying up the house, engaging in minor tasks, and honestly relishing the quiet, broken only by the gentle cooing of Baby. My phone rang at 2:35. Not recognizing the number, I chose to let it ring; I enjoy the sound of “Anastasia” by A Silent Film as my ringtone. I danced around with Baby and continued my chores.
Ten minutes later, the phone rang again. It was the same number. Suddenly, it struck me that it could be the school calling to tell me to pick up my daughter because she was unwell. She had been a bit under the weather the day before, but seemed fine now.
“Hello?”
“Hi, is this Emily?”
“Yes.”
“This is Sarah from the Elementary School. I have your daughter here. She’s waiting to be picked up. Today is a common day, so school ended at 2:15.”
My heart sank. “Oh no! I’m on my way!”
I hung up, quickly secured Baby in her car seat, and navigated through traffic as I rushed to the school. I pictured my daughter sitting in the office on an uncomfortable chair, her head drooping, swinging her legs in despair, completely heartbroken over being forgotten.
Upon arriving at the school, I hoisted Baby onto my hip and hurried into the office. To my surprise, my daughter was there, happily assisting the office staff in cleaning.
After a moment of disbelief at her cheerful demeanor, I rushed over and embraced her. “I’m so sorry! Did you have a good time?”
“Yeah!” she replied, finishing up wiping a chair and gesturing proudly at her artwork displayed for the office staff.
“She’s quite the little artist,” Sarah smiled at me. “You’re not the only parent who forgot today was a common day.”
“What exactly is a common day? I’m still getting used to this whole school routine.”
“It’s an early release day due to parent-teacher conferences. The next one won’t be until February.”
Mental note: remember to pick up my daughter early in February during parent-teacher conferences.
“Did we receive an email about this?”
“Yes, the principal sent one out recently.”
Right… the one email I overlooked. Why? Because the subject line read “Parent-Teacher Conferences,” and I had already been informed multiple times that kindergarteners wouldn’t have conferences.
In that moment, I noticed a bright yellow note pinned to my daughter’s shirt.
Yes, I was aware today was October 8th. The time for pickup was circled (as if I didn’t know she was in the afternoon class). Wait… school started an hour earlier today? My accomplishment of getting her to school on time had turned into a complete fail. #momfail
This entire episode was undoubtedly a #momfail. And as for that note pinned to her shirt? Apparently, it wasn’t enough to receive a missed phone call about her being in the office—cleaning.
In truth, I understood why they pinned it. If they placed notes in her backpack, she would never remember to give it to me. That’s what the emails are for. At least they didn’t circle it in red ink.
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In summary, juggling parenting responsibilities can lead to unexpected oversights, as experienced during a routine school drop-off. Despite the challenges and occasional lapses, the moments of joy and learning remain central to the journey of motherhood.
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