Let me start this post off by saying that I love all you crafty people out there. I do. Sometimes I even take a big hit off the Pinterest crack pipe and join you all in your colorful, neatly organized, glitter-embossed ranks. However, yesterday I had to swallow a big helping of mommy guilt because I sent Roo to preschool with a sandwich baggie stuffed with target-bought cards. No candy. No custom photos. No gift bags. Just her little signature and a sticker stuffed inside each card.
Now, despite my actions in the last post, I am no rookie. I knew what I was up against. I expected that there would be a lot of hand-crafted amazingness passed out amongst her peers- and I was right. Preschool parents really get into Valentine's day. I get it. It's the first time they get to re-experience the Valentine's Class party that they remember so fondly from their youth. I considered joining the bandwagon and doing something crafty and cute for Roo as well. But I didn't because when I feel like I have to do something crafty as opposed to wanting to do something crafty, it makes me cranky- and cranky and preschool Valentines shouldn't mix.
So I dropped Roo off and I watched her carefully. She definitely noticed the difference between her little bag and the finery her friends had brought. I left feeling guilty and like a slacker mom (momentarily forgetting that I am totally a slacker mom. I guess I have to own it.).
Then I made myself feel better by remembering this haiku I wrote four years ago on a blog post when J was in preschool, before Pinterest was all the rage. I'll share it with all you other slacker parents who need to alleviate any guilt you may be feeling. It goes like this:
Now, despite my actions in the last post, I am no rookie. I knew what I was up against. I expected that there would be a lot of hand-crafted amazingness passed out amongst her peers- and I was right. Preschool parents really get into Valentine's day. I get it. It's the first time they get to re-experience the Valentine's Class party that they remember so fondly from their youth. I considered joining the bandwagon and doing something crafty and cute for Roo as well. But I didn't because when I feel like I have to do something crafty as opposed to wanting to do something crafty, it makes me cranky- and cranky and preschool Valentines shouldn't mix.
So I dropped Roo off and I watched her carefully. She definitely noticed the difference between her little bag and the finery her friends had brought. I left feeling guilty and like a slacker mom (momentarily forgetting that I am totally a slacker mom. I guess I have to own it.).
Then I made myself feel better by remembering this haiku I wrote four years ago on a blog post when J was in preschool, before Pinterest was all the rage. I'll share it with all you other slacker parents who need to alleviate any guilt you may be feeling. It goes like this:
She brings homemade cards
Wove from specialty paper.
5 o' clock is far away.
You can read the whole post here. It's filled with all kinds of mean limericks and poems making fun of crafty parents. Reading it now, I realize I've come a long way in the insecurity department. You Pinterest people can go ahead and get down with your glittery selves, because once I got over the initial guilt, it was all okay (like I knew I would be). Roo had a great time at the party and doesn't seem to be emotionally scarred. And preschool parents, look at you, you crafty fools! The cute crafts and cards are absolutely stunning! Bravo to you! Very inspirational. Maybe next year I'll take a forced-perception pic of Roo holding a lollipop in front of a cute backdrop.
But probably not.
Anyway. Happy Valentines Day. Enjoy celebrating love with your loved ones. Here's an old post celebrating my Valentine. If he was Pinterest, I'd re-pin him all day long.
(I'm not too sure what that means, but it's all I got to end this post. It's probably best if you don't read into it.)
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