“Community Columnist” Michael Schrader

(About parents)

Written 19 September 2015

School is now back in session. This is a time of much sadness for many, and much joy for others. While most children don’t have the grey hair to understand the value of an education, and would prefer the unstructured life of summer vacation - sleeping late, hanging out with friends, being glued to smart phones interfacing on social media while completely ignoring the live human beings in the same room – parents, on the other hand, are ready for the structure that school provides, and are ready to reclaim their houses and time. Once the enthusiasm of the beginning of school wears off, the school year can pass by pleasantly or unpleasantly, depending. Each one of us plays a key part in the pleasantness of the school year.

Parents are probably the most important group of people that can make or break the enjoyability of the school year. Rude and selfish parents create a very negative school environment. When dropping off Johnny or Janie, remember this – you are not alone! There are many other parents also dropping off their Johnny and Janie at the exact same time. So, don’t park in the areas you aren’t supposed to park in. Yes, you don’t want Johnny and Janie to have to walk any further than they have to, but neither does any other parent, and when you park where you aren’t supposed to, you are saying that somehow your child is more important than any other child. Your child is not. Being rude and parking where you should not and blocking the street is very rude, and only irritates the other parents. Irritated parents become cranky parents, and cranky parents beget cranky school staff and teachers. I don’t really want to be cranky and annoyed when I go to work because of some rude person who decided it was okay to block traffic, and I am confident that those who interface with me do not want me to be cranky. So, for their sake, please obey all traffic laws and obey all rules and regulations. Thank you!

Sadly, parents’ bad behavior doesn’t end there. When you go to a performance, pay attention to it. I don’t want to be distracted by you texting or talking on your phone. If it is that urgent, please be courteous and step outside to have your conversation. I don’t really want to know your personal business, so please do not share. Yes, you may be important, but not so important that you interrupt or otherwise distract me from enjoying whatever performance or event my child is participating in. These things happen only one, and I don’t want to miss it because others think they are that important. For hearing impaired people like me, it is very challenging to hear dialogue, and other noises can completely block out what I am trying to hear. So, if you have a child that is crying, screaming, and otherwise being loud, please be respectful of those of like me and remove them from the room. Thank you!

Finally, parents, be respectful of your children. Do not attend your child’s special moment in your pajamas or otherwise looking like you don’t really give a hoot. Trust me, it is embarrassing for a child to see his or her parent in attendance looking like a disheveled hobo. It is embarrassing for other parents, too. I am generally proud of my community, but not so much when the people don’t even take to time for basic personal hygiene. It is embarrassing to have to explain away to others the general lack of self-pride and personal hygiene skills. Also, your children are not professional athletes, scholars, and musicians, so leave the hyper competitiveness at home. Your children are not clones of you, so don’t live vicariously through them and certainly don’t pressure them. In thirty years, no one will really care who did or didn’t score the best.

Every school year I start with high expectations and end up disappointed and cranky. Perhaps this year will be different. Parents, it is up to you!

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