The Homework Nazi
Jan 25, 2010 | Filed Under: Candy's Column,Featured,Musings
“How ’bout these jungle stickers? They’re cute,” Mr. Candy enthused.
“Mmmm-hmmmm,” I half-nodded. I pointedly showed him the stickers in my hand. “These are the ones I picked out,” I noted, then waited for him to notice the glaring disconnect. He just smiled, oblivious.
“Ready to check out?”
“YOUR STICKERS DO NOT MATCH MY STICKERS!”
I should have bitten my tongue. I know. I wish I could have been a go-with-the-flow kind of gal. I really do. But this was Skylar’s first daycare assignment: a family collage, to be enhanced with stickers. Her first school assignment ever. The assignment that would — I don’t believe this is an overstatement — determine the bar for the rest of our daughter’s academic career, if not her entire life.
Jungle stickers with raised polka-dotted letters? I. DON’T. THINK. SO.
“Does that mean you want me to put them back?” my poor husband asked, puzzled, still clinging to his jungle stickers.
“I’m so happy you agree!”
I bought my stickers, selected the family photographs, assembled the collage, hijacked all of the fun — in short, had become a TOTAL HOMEWORK NAZI.
“What if you put that picture over here…?” Mr. Candy bravely suggested. I shot him a look. “Or… not.”
I don’t know what’s happening here, but I can tell you this: I am scaring myself. I didn’t care about my college finals as much as I care about my six-month-old kid’s daycare assignment. Hell, I apparently don’t care about my husband’s feelings as much as I care about an infant’s homework.
Baby sign language is the next assignment. I don’t need to study the chart to know which sign Mr. Candy wants to give ME right now.
Eize
says:
No wonder kids are so easily stressed out these days. They have assignments at six months! Next thing you know, they’ll be having assignments while in the second trimester in Mom’s womb.
January 25th, 2010 at 9:31 am -lainey
says:
Isn’t today the big day? How is it going? I went back to work 2 wks ago and the first day was hard but each day it gets better.
January 25th, 2010 at 2:05 pm -Candy
says:
Sure is, Lainey. Glad things are getting easier for you. I’m still adjusting… will give a full report tomorrow.
January 25th, 2010 at 3:45 pm -Tina
says:
Hi Mama Candy,
January 25th, 2010 at 7:07 pm -The 1st family project Talia had from daycare, I spent several long hours (into the very early AM)…after a very late work night…after dinner, laundry, bedtime routine, etc. finishing her project. Jason was exhausted and went to bed, telling me not to spend too much time on it, and that it was no big deal. Like you, I think I spent so much time on this making sure I knew she would have the best one on display. Jason & Talia woke up the next AM and were both wowed!! Jason of course asked me how long it took, and I declined to answer. We dropped Talia off at school and her teachers were in awe, and fellow parents were thinking…gee, maybe we should’ve put more time into our kid’s project. It was a very satisfying feeling for me, strangely. Needless to say, I felt just like you with her very 1st project. And, with every project since then, I’ve devoted the same time and care, sometimes even more!! Mind you, Talia is only 2…God help us!!