Who knew Pre-K could be so hard?

Margo started Pre-K this year at College Heights Early Childhood Learning Center in Decatur, so things just got real. Time to step up our game! Her teacher called me a few days before school started to ask me a few pertinent questions:

Teacher: Will Margo have breakfast at school or at home?

Me: I think we’re going to shoot for school. You know, get the day going early, fuel up, beat the rush… Honestly though, we’re really unsure of how we’re ever going to get this kid to school on time. That’s a big worry of ours. She has one speed, Margo-speed, and 8 a.m. is errr-lee! So, actually, let’s switch that and say she’ll eat at home.

Teacher: Ok, then. Will she be picked up in the afternoon or will she be going to aftercare?

Me: Well, at first she will be picked up by a babysitter – Amanda something or other. My wife set it up. That will be for a couple of weeks until Grandma Patty can get down here from New Jersey after cataract surgery. Then Grandma will pick up for a month or so until Margo turns five and then she’ll be eligible to take the shuttle bus to Camp Scene. Phew!

Teacher: It’s really best to stick with one pickup plan.

Me: I bet!

Email sent after Day 1: Dear Teacher, Margo had a great first day! Except for the pickup part. That really freaked her out. Margo says she wants to be picked up by one of us, so I’ll pick her up tomorrow. Maybe Amanda what’s her name can run the rug shop for me…heh, heh.

Carpool is a monster lineup like Aerosmith was playing the jungle gym or something. Is President Obama here again? I look down the street. I could easily just drive down there, pull over and park for one minute to get her. Is that cool? Better not. Last thing I need are a bunch of annoyed PTA-types whipping Gogurt at my car.

I stay in line and inch forward. It’s taking forever! It is 90 degrees out and Margo’s second biggest complaint was that it took so long to get picked up. School staffer sees my carpool number and instructs me to stay in the left lane. I fork left but then see Margo over far right. I park haphazardly and run over.

Me: Hey Sweetie! How was school?

Margo (angry): Dad-deee! You were supposed to pick me up right here. I told you!

Me: Yeah, but that line was crazylong.

Teacher: So, should I switch Margo to a walker now?

Me: What? Oh no, I’m driving. That’s my minivan right there.

Teacher: Yes, but you aren’t supposed to park there. My suggestion is that if the carpool line is too slow then you should park on the street and walk up. I can change you to a walker right now. Do you happen to have a pen?

Me: Sure! Here you go. I’m not sure what Grandma will want to do though, that’s a pretty big hill ya know? But I’m picking up tomorrow anyway so go ahead and change her to a walker for now.

Teacher (crossing out a crossout and writing furiously): Again, it’s really best to have a consistent pickup plan.

Me: It sure is! Can I have my pen back?

Tim Sullivan grew up in a large family in the Northeast and now lives with his small family in Oakhurst. He can be reached at tim@sullivanfinerugs. com