Feb 23 2009
When Parents Don’t Pay Attention
Tonight Garrett had an awards banquet at school. He had competed in a UIL competition. I really don’t even know what UIL stands for, but basically what it is is children compete in various academic areas with other schools and if you do the best, you win 1st, 2nd, 3rd and so on for places.
Garrett was an alternate in Inpromptu Speaking. This is basically debating with himself. Which he does quite fine at while arguing with himself during video games or looking in the mirror and getting caught up in his own world.
Because he was an alternate, he didn’t have a chance to really compete and receive a place. But he did speak at the competition and he was part of the team and faithfully attended every practice.
So tonight we attended the banquet and the awards ceremony. If anything, I didn’t have to cook supper tonight and we were treated to a great dinner of chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes, green beans and peach cobbler. All the mom’s and most of the dads were there with their children. Because my husband is currently in Connecticut, he couldn’t attend, but Tim and I were there with bells on.
As we were sitting at our table waiting to eat, one of Garrett’s friends walked in and joined us. I asked him where his parents were and he hung his head and said they dropped him off! Then, he looked around at the other kids and noticed how they were all dressed up for the event and then observed his worn out black T-shirt and dirty blue jeans and asked, “Am I the only one that isn’t dressed up?” I assured him that others didn’t dress up, however that wasn’t really the truth.
I was angry, although I didn’t let it show. This event was a major milestone in these children’s lives. This child was there without his parents and he won 2nd place in his event!
As we made our way to the line to get our food, he asked me if he could call me mom. I hugged him and told him that he could.
When he made his way to the stage to receive his award, Garrett leaned over and whispered to me that we needed to yell extra loud for his friend to make him feel good. So we did.
We had a good time. The boys and I sat on the front row seat of the packed auditorium and the boys made quiet comments to the students as they passed on the stage to receive their award.
If the students were walking too slow, Garrett would whisper “Walk faster”
The principal who was handing out the awards snickered at the remark.
If the students were walking too fast, Garrett or his friend would say, “Slow down!”
The principal looked at them and chuckled.
When one boy refused to smile while walking across the stage, Garrett whispered “Smile! Your getting an award!”
The principal had to turn around so the audience could not see him bursting into laughter!
We did have a great night and we laughed a lot. We had fun! And so did Garrett’s friend. But I can’t help but to be angry about his parents not showing up.
The banquet was free. They were not working, they were at home. No one else was sick in the house. They managed to bring him to the school, but couldn’t manage to stay and be there for them! If I had not been there, this little boy would have sat alone!
Parents need to pay attention to their children! They grow up fast and before you know it, they are out of the house and on their own. If you don’t pay attention to them now….. They wont pay attention to you later!
I feel that You and Your Son did the right thing. In Our neck of the woods We call them Helicopter Parents. It’s just so sad that they exist in this day and age. With Myself it was a rough road to haul with two Boys both sides of the spectrum so to speak. I’ve mentioned this before I love them both more than life, mainly because both My Bride and Myself are deeply involved in both of their lives. Erik(licensed electrician) is 36, and Paul(special olympian) is 31. So both My Bride and Myself are no new kids on the block. It’s very refreshing to read stories about You and Your Son. Keep up the good work. As Always Otto aka Sam.