About Rebecca Eckler
Since becoming pregnant with her daughter Rowan, Canadian journalist and author Rebecca Eckler has penned three hilarious books, including the best-selling Knocked Up. Catch Rebecca’s weekly unique perspective on motherhood and single parenthood.
According to my daughter, I was the “only” mother who “didn’t show up” to her school assembly on
Halloween. “I didn’t know I was supposed to come,” I told her, my heart cracking and the guilt immediately sinking in. “How come you didn’t tell me?” I asked her. “I didn’t know either,” my daughter said.
The school event I had missed was a school Halloween parade on Halloween. Upon thinking about it, I did remember reading something on the school’s website, weeks earlier, that parents were “welcome” to attend. It didn’t say parents
had to attend. Or parents really should attend. Or, you’ll be sorry if you don't attend. According to my daughter, I was the only mother in her class that didn't attend. I know. Ouch.
I know, though, that my daughter could possibly be exaggerating. She still can’t name every child in her class, so the chances of her knowing that all their parents were there, except me, is nearly impossible. But, to her, maybe it did feel like I was the only mother who didn’t show up. I know. Ouch. In my defense, it is a new school, and really? Every single mother at that school managed to show up on a Monday at 11am to see their child prance around in a costume? I mean, I had already seen my daughter dressed in costume that morning (I had dressed her!) and I was working. I definitely could have taken the time off, but, really, how was I to know that “parents are welcome to attend” really meant “every other mother is coming and you’ll feel like crap if you don’t come.”
I have only missed one other activity during my daughter’s school career and that was Parent Skating Day, which I simply forgot was happening. Yes, I forgot! It happens! But it only happened once and for the following three years after that, I made sure to attend Parent Skating Day. However, Parent Skating Day pretty much says it all. If you are a Parent, then you come Skating that Day. “Parents welcome to attend” sounds like a loosey-goosey invitation. In any case, you can bet all your Halloween candy that next year I will definitely show up to this activity at my daughter’s school. I’m learning a lot in Grade Three. Like “welcome to attend,” means you should attend!
Have you ever missed a child’s activity at school, either because you simply forgot or because you couldn’t make it? How did you feel?
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