Rebecca Eckler

Almost every morning, my best friend stops by my house after dropping off her children at school. We have a coffee, before she goes off to do what she does and I get to work. It’s one of the best parts of my day.

The other morning she walked in, as she usually does, talking on her phone. I listened in as she spoke to a mother at her children’s school who had recently come back from Mexico. My friend wanted to make sure this mother’s child was not showing any symptoms of the Swine Flu.

Because my friend is more like a sister, I gave her a look that said, “Be nice!”

Frankly, if a mother called me to ask if my child was well enough to send to school, I’d be offended. If my child is sick, I’m not going to send her to school, so don’t doubt me.

But my friend did get me all fired up about the Swine Flu. I was so fired up, I sent an e-mail to my daughter’s school, mentioning that maybe the teachers could remind the students to wash their hands frequently.

I also mentioned I was worried about the girl from Woodstock, Ontario, who had been kidnapped. I mentioned maybe the teachers could also remind the children to NEVER LEAVE WITH ANYONE THEY DON’T KNOW.

It hit me. I have become one of those mothers, who may be annoying to the school. “Oh, that Rebecca,” they’re probably moaning about me in the lunchroom. “She has another problem!”

The latest e-mail was not the first, second, or third e-mail I had sent to teachers about my worries over the year.

The first e-mail happened after the teacher forgot it was my daughter’s turn for show and tell. My daughter came home distraught to say the least.

I sent the teacher an e-mail that night telling her that my daughter was upset because she had forgotten it was her show and tell day, and can she please let my daughter have her turn today.

I sent another e-mail recently, after my daughter came home upset because she thought the teacher was mad at her. “My teacher thinks I broke the puppet but I didn’t. It was already broken,” my daughter sobbed.

So, I sent the teacher an e-mail explaining that my daughter was convinced she didn’t break the puppet.

I’m not sure if other mothers at my daughter’s school have sent out numerous e-mails about their worries. I sure HOPE I’m not the only one.

The good news is that after I sent out my e-mail about the Swine Flu, an e-mail went out to all the parents saying they were putting hand sanitizers in every classroom.

So, yes, I may be one of those annoying parents, constantly sending e-mails to teachers and the principals, but it’s possible the hand sanitizers are in place, thanks to me!

Luckily, for my daughter’s teachers, the school year is almost over. They do deserve a break – from this annoying mother and her annoying e-mails.

*Image Credit: Benjamin Earwicker

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