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.
Once upon a time I was a “mommy-and-me” drop out (It just didn’t seem right waking my sixth-month-old up from a nap to attend a 30-minute music class. We attended two of 12 classes.)
Now my “baby” is in SK. No, of course she’s not a five-year-old drop out. But, recently, I’ve introduced her to the concept of “skipping school.”
Before you call social services, hear me out. As a single mother, you’d think I’d get to spend more time with my child, as it’s only her and me.
You’d be wrong. Once ANY child starts full day classes, you lose them. No matter how many times you once said, “I can’t wait until they start school full days,” you end up missing them.
Because it is also the season of charity events, many of which I’m invited to, I have to go out in the evenings. Quality time with my daughter lately has dwindled to the rush in the morning to get her to school and hanging out while she watches me shower and dress to go out.
I haven’t felt like I’m spending enough “quality time” with the Most Important Person in my life recently. This breaks my heart.
The other day I had a meeting near her school at noon. On the way, my Blackberry buzzed. My meeting was cancelled last minute. I had the afternoon off! I was already in my car. I decided to fetch my daughter.
“Mommy,” she said excitedly when I walked into her class. “Why are you here?”
“Shhh,” I whispered. “We’re skipping.”
I simply said to the teacher, “I want to spend time with my daughter.” The teacher thought it was very sweet (and, really, my daughter was missing gym and quiet time).
On our way out, another teacher stopped us and said, “Rowan, are you not feeling well?”
My daughter responded proudly, “No, mommy just wants to spend time with me.”
As we walked out, I told my daughter this was called “skipping school.” (Although, if you have your mother’s permission, is it really skipping?)
She said, “OK, let’s skip.” And that’s what we did. We skipped (literally) out the door. We skipped, holding hands, to the car. At home, we read books and watched a movie. It was the most perfect day.
Once in a while, when you can do it, I think mothers should “skip” school with their children, especially while they’re young.
I want to spend time with her… while she still wants to spend time with me.