Back to school routines are in full swing at the Vollette house. We are checking binders, checking the computer updates, signing planners and orchestrating activities. I make 20 lunches a week, wash at least that many loads of laundry and juggle the schedules of not just my family, but of five others as well for my childcare job. Two things I must say. First, no comments or feelings about me being a "supermom". There is no such thing and I don't want to be one. I just do what needs to be done for my family and most days, I do it without a total meltdown. That's my meltdown. Not the kids'. Second, I know my kids are old enough to make their own lunches and do their own laundry. But why am I a stay at home mom if not to take care of my family? They are capable and will be self sufficient by the time they leave my house. I have made this promise to their future wives. Because believe me, there are plenty of things I will need to apologize to those precious women for.
The mornings in our house are only made unpleasant by one thing. SOCK DRAMA! So many people say to me, "Oh you have all boys. You have it so easy. Girls and their drama are just a hot mess you don't even have to worry about". Well, as much as I love the young men in my house, they have their fair share of drama. Not to mention the current trend of girls not matching their socks. You girl moms have it way easier than I do!
At our house, there are never enough socks. When we do locate a pair, we have to do the dreaded "smell test" to see whether the socks are clean or not. This is a potentially life threatening activity depending on where the socks were found. They could be anywhere in my house as my children love to take them off and fling them wherever. Usually at each other to try to gag the victim with the smell. Remember the sentence where I said I do 20 loads of laundry a week? Why are there never enough socks that are the "right socks".
This is where the rest of the drama comes in. Did you know there are right socks and wrong socks? The masterminds of the sock industry amaze me. Because I can't just go to the big box stores and get the cheap white socks. No, my boys have to have socks with special names that cost $15 a pair. When we were shopping for school clothes, the oldest two compromised with us and agreed to share these pricey foot coverings. They take turns. It is the best lesson in sharing I never intended to teach.
As we were discussing the cost of the "right" socks, I got to thinking about my teenage years. The things that were important to me to have in order to feel like I "fit in". Swatch watches, Coca-Cola shirts, an Esprit bag to carry my books, Outback Red 10 button shirts, Guess Jeans and Liz Claiborn purses. As a parent, I tend to forget how important those little things were to feeling confident and secure as I went off to school.
The thing is, I still feel it and see it in adults. Coach purses, Sperry shoes, the newest iPhone. We all want to "fit in". I know there are deeper lessons of self esteem and loving who God created you to be. We do focus on that at our house. I focus on it for myself as a mostly well adjusted adult. But if I can take some to the awkward sting out of navigating the teenage years with a pair of socks, then I will.
I just wish we could find some that match, don't smell, are the right length for the shoe choice, have the correct symbol and aren't white. Because at 6:45 in the morning, this mom could do without the drama.
