Relatability Issues

G and I have been working on the Fun Fair for about a month now and it is actually happening in a week's time. Any parent who has ever worked on a Fun Fair would know that it is too little time for such a huge undertaking. However, we have done remarkably well in a short period of time. It has been the 2 of us mostly, with a little help from Y. G has the passion and the ideas, and I have the patience and the strategies. We work with a good understanding of each other’s strengths. This whole post could be about how awesome we are as a team, but then where is the conflict? And where is the drama? Well, let me not disappoint anyone.

While we were working away quietly, the school playground had become a bit of a battlefield. We had to deal with one instance of power struggle where this parent probably felt that we were doomed and separated herself from us. She went off on a power trip. Then, we had a couple of nutcases. I actually want to mean people, but these were actual cases that involved nuts! We had to cancel a beloved ice cream; deal with PR! Seriously, it was becoming worse than a real work place. At least, there, one gets paid for putting up with nonsense!

As if that wasn’t enough, the parent who went rogue did a sanctimonious turn on us. She decided to educate me on the fine art of fundraising. Having been there a few years ago and having dealt with parents like her, I quietly listened to her without kicking up a fuss. Obviously, I complained to G later and it was therapeutic. For a good reason, I decided to share the preachy conversation with ASid. I wanted him to know about people and issues he may have to deal with later on in his life. Instead of appreciating my gesture, he had an outburst!

He was like who are you? I can’t relate to you! Why the heck would you quietly listen to that woman?

Because she is a parent at school and I have to see her face every day! Why would I get confrontational with another parent?

He was like mom, I am so disappointed in you! I would have gotten confrontational!

I wasn’t upset with his outburst. I actually felt good about it. He was looking out for me in a way. While he did that, I got to find out that he is capable of dealing with conflict and is not afraid of a confrontation. At the same time, I wanted him to know that I am not afraid of a confrontation either! It is just that I am all about diplomacy at my child’s school. Why would I behave badly at my child’s school? What sort of a role model would that make me? If I am asking Hans to ignore and walk away from the bullies in his life, I must walk that walk myself.

That’s what I did today.

The same parent, who spread rumours about G and me a few months ago and nearly destroyed a beautiful friendship, had the audacity to tell me that all the email communication about the Fun Fair from us was annoying her!

She was like can you stop it?

I was like you can delete it; don’t read it!

There was more dialogue than that; however, the point to note is that I walked away from this person. I cut the conversation short. I was so proud of myself. I did complain to G again and I did share with ASid again. This time around, ASid listened with delight.

There are many battles to pick in life. It is definitely tragic when a school playground becomes a battlefield for parents. Really?! People, when you see a parent slogging for their children’s school, say something nice. If you can’t, then don’t say anything at all. Kids, when you see your parents slogging at your schools, take pride! One day, you will hopefully follow in those footsteps and make us proud as well. That’s the honest hope.