Lessons learned from ‘Family Fun Night’…

Family Fun Night happened at Z’s school tonight. It was 6:30-8:30. This was the first time they attempted such an event, as was evident from the mass chaos at the 7:15-8:00 Twister event in the gym. Here’s what I learned:

1. There is a reason I teach college. Having the option of cursing/swearing at students, and expecting certain things without having to raise my hand in the air and count to five is invaluable.

2. Our daughter’s spirit is absolutely indomitable. Very few of her classmates came to FFN and she looked tired enough to fall over and sleep in the middle of one of the 12 Twister mats in the cordoned off gymnasium, yet she played. And wouldn’t leave until everyone had a chance to play. And upon leaving FFN, she declared it to be “The best night EVER!!!” In my head, I simply thought, “Really??”

3. The promise of pizza, even if it’s a dollar a slice, will bring out a number of families who will treat the FFN as their evening’s dinner choice. Some will use it simply as pizza take-out night, and not so much as poke their head in the book sale portion of the gym, let alone the Twister zone.

4. I will continue to buy more books for Z than she needs because I have a thing for the PTA President, who I actually went out of my way to time my place in line so that I she could ring up our books. And I feel as though if I continue to buy lots of books, as if to say, “Hey, I support your cause, know what I’m sayin’?” that maybe she’ll take notice/remember me.

5. With respect to #2, to give you an idea: I went to ONE “Family Fun Night” when I was her age, and I recall being utterly miserable, self-conscious, overwhelmed, nervous and, well, miserable. I hated every minute of it, and wanted, more than anything, to be home. Z couldn’t have been happier. You have no idea how thankful I am that she is the way she is. Especially because tonight I felt exactly as I did back then.

6. We read all of the books bought at the book sale portion of FFN tonight, and Z again talked about how great it was. I said, “I’m glad. I love you, night night.” She said, “I love you, night night.” And now it’s time for a glass of wine–the only way to appropriately end Family Fun Night…

#80