Funny thing this parent thing. I went to a parents meeting this evening at Bella and Lullu's school. WOW! What an eye opener. I promised myself that I will be an involved but not a pushy parent. Well, well, well, tonight I was reluctantly attending a parent meeting at their school and walked out in charge of fundraising for the new shade net cover for the school. Why can't I keep my mouth shut? Why must I always jump in and help? Why am I unable to just be a silent witness?

Maybe it is because that even though I pay school fees I owe those teachers much more. If you don't have children yet you may find this difficult to understand, but for such little creatures they take a lot out of you. These ladies are there daily from 06:00 until 18:00. That they are not yet completely bonkers I don't know, but I know that I am definitely not cut out for watching, teaching and feeding other people's children, not to mention potty training them, giving medicine and playing. It is a thankless job and I have all the respect in the world for those ladies.

For some reason I have been programmed to help if others are in need. I often wonder what it feels like to look at a situation or person where you know you can help and you choose to walk away. Now you see, I am not an Indian Giver. I give with all my heart and don't expect anything back. And every time I give to someone I give a little bit of myself with it.

Now, while sitting on a kiddies chair at the meeting there were a few of those annoying over involved, meddling and pushy parents that kept hammering on the same points and over analyzing others. Complete with files laden with child rearing advice, play school curriculum and other 'perfect mommy' reading material.

Sitting at the back I had a fairly good vantage point of these ladies with their perfectly blowdried hair, manicured hands and exquisite build. I suppose they really don't have anything better to do as most of them sit at home the whole day. Now, forgive me, but I do not take kindly to 'Homemakers' who diss working mothers for not being more involved in their children's school activities and events.
That lady was damn near being assaulted with a chocolate muffin by another mom. If I could I would have voted the 'Homemaker' off the island.

So when the meeting came to a close there was a great divide in the room. And a few scary glances were exchanged. But at least I know I am the one footing the bill for Bella and Lullu's school fees and I am the one paying for my own mani's, pedi's and Woolies account and not in the position of the 'Homemaker' where I am dependent on my husband's salary for my lifestyle. The nerve nogal. So we don't bake and sit for hours chatting to other 'Homemakers' at play dates, surely that does not make me a lesser mother? Anyway, I have made peace with the fact that although my offices are based at my home I am a working mother juggling work, kids, husband and a household. I do not have the luxury of time to conjure up all sorts of delusions of grandeur about my life like the 'Homemakers'. So I figured that someone should put these ladies back in their boxes and show them what 'Working Moms' are capable of. I will show them that us 'Working Moms' are fierce, resourceful and can fight just as dirty. :)

In any event, I now need to find time to organise fund raising ideas and plans for our shade net. So, let me be a Besige Buitjie and get cracking!