I'm in an odd limbo state at the moment, calmly awaiting what I am sure will be the mother of all back-to-school meltdowns from one, some, or all of my kids. For now, all is well and, in fact, I have never witnessed such eager-beaver-ness from my brood. But as sure as I'm blogging here, drama will unfold. And until it does, and I successfully set things right, I just don't have the room in my head to re-start all of the things that I seem to have put on hold since June. Writing things, mostly, I think. Although it should be noted (by me, not by you, dear ones), that I did, somehow, finish a story this summer.
Speaking of meltdowns, I've had quite a few in the last two days. Little spasms of horror, tiny moments of wanting to do violence. Mothers who are new to the school and for whom our school is pointedly NOT their first, second, or even third choice, have uttered some of the most bigoted and willfully ignorant things I have ever had the displeasure of hearing in conversation. At one point, I was sandwiched between two of these horrible beings, attempting—much to my permanent shame—to make them feel better. I'm flailing; I don't know how to deal with such women. Women who say their daughters have no one with whom they can "identify" in their class. Who wonder out loud why all the kids who can't yet speak English are not kept in one classroom. Who refuse to believe there is even the SLIGHTEST possibility that a child of color and lower socioeconomic background might be as brilliant and capable as their own. Who refuse to acknowledge the existence of mothers who are not carrying the right bag or who have not been botoxed to within an inch of their sad, sorry lives.
It's not that I can't think of a hundred smart-ass, cutting retorts; I can. But that's the easy way out, and for some reason I'm willing to work at this (maybe I should do like AD and invoke the patron saint of lost causes). Earlier today, I was wondering why, exactly, these women believe their children are better than the other children. And then I realized maybe they're afraid they AREN'T. Fear being the root of all evil and whatnot...
5 comments:
Ah, those with wealth who think it somehow grants class. It would be easy to pity such wretches if they weren't so bloody infuriating.
Of course, as a one of the classiest folks I know, you don't need to stoop to the smart-ass retorts. Grace tends to shut this nonsense down with greater power than the most withering retort.
Gotta agree with Carl on this one - grace is best.
Mostly because lets face it - these moms are living their lives through their children and will a) never fully realize their own potential and be whole beings and b) their kids will never learn how to be their own whole beings either and will have to deal with being their parents ghosts for likely the rest of their lives.
Talk about self colonization in action.
And that's a sad, sad thing.
Oh, and yah! Happy First Day of School! **grin** May the Angel of Volunteerism be gentle on thee.
Thanks for the understanding words, you two (hi Carl!). Ranting about it before bedtime helped me fall asleep, at least.
LOL on the volunteer thing, Bec! I already need to bake 2 dozen heart-shaped cookies for tomorrow. Gotta do it at midnight when the house is nice and cool...
You are a diplomat for sure—but give us a few smart-ass, cutting retorts!
Yeah, makes me sad for the doomed kids more than the collagen wraiths . . . I went to school with so many in their pupal stages.
...collagen wraiths...
I love this description!
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