Yesterday morning, amidst the craziness of sleeping in late and trying to get everyone out the door on time, Coley asked, "Mom, can I walk?" (To the Summer program the kids attend.)
Half listening, I thought he had asked if we could walk so I said, "Sure!"
About five minutes later, Annie and I were ready and walking out the front door when I asked, "Annie, where's your brother?" to which she replied, "You told him that he could walk." to which I replied, "No, I told him we could walk."
Mind you Cole is 10 and the Summer program is only 1/4 mile from our house but in the time it took me to call the school, all sorts of horrific scenarios had begun playing in my head.
When one of the staff members answered the phone, I said, "Hey, this is Karen...I know this is going to sound weird but I'm wondering if Cole is there?" She laughed kind of awkwardly and said, "Should I assume you've misplaced him?"
And I guess if the word 'misplaced' assuages some of the guilt of not knowing where in the %$&@# your child is, then yes indeed, I had 'misplaced' my son.
She walked down to Cole's classroom to see if he was there and said, "No, I don't see him...oh wait, he's walking in the door right now, do you want to talk to him?" to which I replied, "No, I'm too mad to talk to him right now but I'll be there in a minute."
And I guess if the word 'mad' allows me to cloak the worry and embarrassment I was feeling, then yes indeed, I was 'mad.'
Thankfully, it only took me a 1/4 of a mile walk to the school to find the humor in the whole situation. Unfortunately though, in that same 1/4 a mile, I realized that in my frenzy, I had locked myself out of the house.
Proud moments.
hang in there sweetie! it happens, and all we can do is our best!
Posted by: Stephanie C. | June 29, 2011 at 12:22 PM
I always love how real you are!
Posted by: cinback | June 29, 2011 at 12:53 PM
i love you and love that my house isnt the only one.
Posted by: jbueck | June 29, 2011 at 01:39 PM
Some days are just easier than others when you're a parent!! You do make me smile though, I love reading your posts!
Posted by: Erica | June 29, 2011 at 01:48 PM
oh man. Heart attack! So glad he was fine. Until you got a hold of him! ; )
Posted by: Nickki | June 29, 2011 at 01:57 PM
laughing. with you, of course! We are all great, aren't we? Thanks for sharing so I know I'm in good company! :)
Posted by: Julie McD | June 29, 2011 at 02:45 PM
Wanting to be so grown I'm sure aged you 50 years in 10 mins when you discovered he had left. I do love the teacher's word "misplaced"... ummmm love to be a fly on the wall when that kid gets home from camp!!! It's about loving and protecting them hey which is why we worry hey. Regards Kathy A, Brisbane
Posted by: Kathy | June 29, 2011 at 03:40 PM
Totally have me chuckling here... can 100% relate! I have done that same panic and probably would have locked myself out of the house, too! Glad all turned out well.
Posted by: Lisa Edney | June 29, 2011 at 03:53 PM
That was sort of my day yesterday, I grabbed the wrong waterbottle, it was filthy. So I went back to the house and realized I'd left a dog outside. By herself. I went in got the dog in, got a clean waterbottle and went to leave. As I locked the door, and pulled out the key, the lock and it's innards came with the key.
Posted by: Kelli | June 29, 2011 at 04:09 PM
been there...done that. love your stories! makes me feel more human and not the only "mad" mom out there!
~S~
Posted by: Stacey H | June 29, 2011 at 05:06 PM
it stinks when they want to be able to go on their own, my boy is 9 1/2 and would travel the world on his own if i would let him!
Posted by: amyellen | June 29, 2011 at 05:27 PM
LOVE your post! I know it was not funny at the time, hoping you found humor in it later.
Posted by: kimberly minyard | June 29, 2011 at 05:35 PM
I think all Mom's are with you on this one Karen! I know I am. That is so funny though ( after the fact... of course ) !
Posted by: Tracy | June 29, 2011 at 07:45 PM
:) Chuckling with you, Karen! You've got a beautiful family.
Posted by: AnnieS | June 29, 2011 at 08:56 PM
After reading this... I had a good laugh. I truly understand how you feel. I have 10 yr old daughter and I still haven't allowed her to walk by herself to go to school when it is only 5 minute walk.
Posted by: anne | June 29, 2011 at 11:52 PM
Shades of Jack Handy's Deep Thoughts. Remember that? (well, it's sort of the same...)
Posted by: nancy in ks | June 30, 2011 at 06:13 AM
Had a little giggle too Karen...I love that during the 1/4 mile walk you changed from cranky to seeing the funny side...and you locked yourself out...laughed a little at that!
One of those days huh...just gotta smile and let it all go...
Posted by: Julie in Aust. | June 30, 2011 at 06:14 AM
so you went from being mad at Coley to being mad at yourself, I bet! hehehehehe...we've all done it. As I was yelling at my kids for making unnecessary messes yesterday and dramatically wiping the counters, I hit a full cup of Hawiaan Punch, which spilled and splattered EVERYWHERE...my own unnecessary mess.
Posted by: Kim S. | June 30, 2011 at 06:33 AM
I love than I'm not the only one who conjures up all the worst case scenarios in every situation . . .
Posted by: K | June 30, 2011 at 07:59 AM
Amen for Annie knowing what happen though! I am so with you on freaking out. Glad I'm not the only one. lol
Our oldest didn't come home from school one day. Some sort of mix up with his Dad's family. (We share too). He was expected at our house after school. We live a stones throw from the school so he should have been home asap. When I noticed how much time had past, I bolted for the door. I was thinking I would run into him on the way. He was no where, no kids were out walking anymore. By the time I got to him in the school office I was crying. The office gals were very sweet about it. lol Even my kid gave me a hug and comforted me. lol
Posted by: Sierra | June 30, 2011 at 10:16 AM
:)
no need to explain. your a mom. that's what we do. and then we laugh.
Posted by: Ada | July 01, 2011 at 07:31 AM
I seriously could have told that story line by line except that I probably would have called 911 instead of the school! LOL!
Posted by: Pam | July 04, 2011 at 04:18 AM
love that you can admit these moments and LAUGH at them too...
Posted by: kate | July 06, 2011 at 11:31 PM
I know it was not funny at the time
Posted by: Andy | July 11, 2011 at 12:07 AM