By Kelli Bowen
In a school year that was odd, to say the least, both girls had an end-of-year field trip, which was cool. I jumped at the chance to spend some time with them and be involved with something from their school year, I volunteered to chaperone…both. What was I thinking?
There is a BIG difference between Kindergarten and third grade and also chaperoning falls into the “it was a good idea at the time”(I signed up) category. Miss A was wrapping up Kindergarten and Miss E was wrapping up third grade. For Kindergarten, I was given three children to try not to lose. For third grade, I was given four. Things I learned:
Kindergarteners are SO EXCITED about EVERYTHING!! Every. Single. Exhibit “That’s MY favorite!” “That’s my FAVORITE!” “Come look! THAT’s my favorite!” There are a lot of favorites, a lot of running, and a lot of excitement. There was going back and looking at a critter again to see if it was still doing the thing it was doing before.
Third graders are planners and seeking pack-approval. “Should we go look at the otters next?” “Should we go see the orangutan and then the otters?” “I like the otters, do you like the otters?...oh you do? I LOVE otters. Oh ME TOO.” “Oooo! Let’s go see _____. Oh you don’t like ____? Okay we can skip ____, I don’t REALLY like them.”
Kindergarteners have their resources zapped quickly, probably due to excitement. They refuel with food. “I’m HUNGRY…can we have a snack?” “I’m STARVING.” “No, I am starving.” “I’m soooooo hungry!” “When is lunch?” (2 minutes later) “Is it lunch time yet?”
Third graders have their resources zapped quickly too, probably from the sun. They refuel with water, maybe, but more likely by whining and Kardashian-like statements. “OMG guys it’s sooooo hot” “I need to sit. I’m just soooooo hot” “Can we take a break? I need some water” “When are we done? It’s sooooo hot” “Why do we need to walk so much, let’s sit and take a break. Are you thirsty? Me too. I’m sooooo thirsty because it’s hot.”
Kindergarteners are picture-ready. When you suggest a photo, they fling their arms around each other or turn and give you their biggest smile, making sure everyone gets a turn.
Third graders think they have just been cast for a modeling contract and need to pose in a “cool” way or suggest to their friends other “cool” ways to pose. This is unless they’re soooooo hot, then they just roll their eyes and whine at you when a photo is suggested.
After the zoo, was lunch (thank goodness because the Kindergarteners were STARVING) and then I wished Miss A a pleasant day and was on with my adulting-day. During Miss E’s turn, a strange thing happened. As we sat with all of Miss E’s friends eating lunch, she looked at me and said “Mom, can I go with you?” I blinked thrice. WHAT??? You are choosing me over park playtime with friends??? “Let’s check with your teacher.” Once I sprung Miss E from the clutches of third grade, she asked if we could go back through the park. We went through and without the pressures of plans and pack-approval, we looked at all of the exhibits again. She fed the ducks two more times. She posed for pictures and s and giggled and we had a great time.
I’m so glad I signed up to chaperone…but then we needed to leave because I was soooooo hot and STARVING!
Kelli makes her home in Cass County with her husband, two daughters (8 and 5) and two dogs. She works for a regional seed company by day and tries to be an alright mom, wife, friend and writer by night.
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