No one ever said that this starting school gig was easy.
But no one ever warned me it was THIS crazy.
The mornings have been filled with tears, screaming protests as well as cutting remarks that drive me to guilt trips (“Don’t leave me alone, Mamaaaaaa!!!).
Every mum does it tough when they move to the side and leave their crying child sitting in line.
When twin siblings are simultaneously distressed right before the school bell, a mum needs to quickly assess which child is in more need of attention, leaving the other one to sob quietly on his own.
Not my finest morning.
Then off they march. Fixed death stares are accompanied with “How DARE you make me go to school” until they disappear into the classroom.
There is only so much grumpy child that a mother can take, right?
By Monday morning, I figured how to diffuse the situation.
Yes. Dance it off. In the playground.
A bit of loose Footloose. 
The twinions were mortified. The other parents now adequately think I’m nuts.
But hey, at least I got a laugh out of the principal.
And now my children have decided they would much prefer to attend school than being embarrassed by their cray cray Mama.
My work here is done.
When have you deliberately embarrassed your child? Who’s up for a dance off?
1. Follow With Some Grace.
2. Sign up to the awesome Digital Parents community ( if you haven’t already done so). DP was created by Brenda Gaddi who happens to be the creator of FYBF. She’s also created 4 gorgeous kidlets. In case you’d like to know. Or maybe not. But we’ll share that info just the same.
3. Add your post URL to the FYBF linky. Please only link up one post.
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5. Visit the blogs of your fellow FYBF’ers and share the comment love
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You are a genius Grace – i bow down to your greatness (and will quietly file away this technique for future use!)
I bet my pre-teens would LOVE me doing this…!
Kirsty @ My Home Truths recently posted..Why I’m not interested in an autism cause or cure
I put my arms in the air at a concert and my teen said I was embarrassing…so it only gets worse.
There’s this clip of a guy on a wharf dancing but he has another guy walking behind him holding up a little radio with the music. you need to find radio guy.
For the record, I always felt sorry for the crying kid mums – it took a lot of resilience in the mum to be able to walk away at the bell time. We had one kid that had to be pulled off her mother in tears every morning and it would make ME tear up – how the mum kept it together was beyond me, but I mentally high fived her for being awesome every day….
Lydia C. Lee recently posted..If he treats you like a queen…
I haven’t had to do a song and dance to ensure Esther goes to school. She loves it that much. The thing is, I don’t think she’d get embarrassed of me dancing in front of her to get her to school – she’d probably join me! LOL. Glad the boys are slowly finding their feet at school. x
Bec Senyard recently posted..Easter Bunny Chocolate Hutch
I love your dance it off strategy Grace!
I hope the school drop offs become easier next week.
Ingrid @ fabulous and fun life recently posted..February Empties
Fabulous! Laughter is the best medicine, anyway, right??
Yep… you my friend, are a damn genius!!!
I love it.
Just priceless.
Have a fabulous day x
sarah@tomfo recently posted..My Favourite Space
Bahaha! Great technique!
I love all the crowd passing you by looking so straight while you boogie.
JodY At Six Little Hearts recently posted..Décor Lunch Boxes and Drink Bottles Review…
OMG you are the best.
Ask my kids and they’ll tell you I embarrass them (on purpose) a lot. Not really. I don’t think so. Not on purpose. Well, maybe …
I do remember my daughter throwing a tantrum when she was about 2 or 3. So I threw myself on the floor and threw a tantrum next to her. She never threw another tantrum again. Not ever. My son never through tanties either … he must have heard the tale …
Leanne @ Deep Fried Fruit recently posted..Day 2318 – can couples live and work together 24-7?
Haha super cool mama!! Now you just need to smuggle in a microphone and bust out the karaoke…
Mumma McD recently posted..The Mummy Who Wants To Fall Asleep
Hilarious – you are the best!
Ashlea @ Glamour Coastal Living recently posted..Feature Friday: Casuarina Cabana
I bow to your resourcefulness! You will always be remembered now at your school that IS for sure. As the teacher/principal I can tell you it is not a part of the job we like when kids are having that separation thing happening. Some days its worse than others. Often it can be better for parents not to be there once the bell to line up has sounded but as I know, easier said than done. It is almost fine once parents have ‘left the grounds’ and the kids are on their way and into class. But to each their own..kids are kids and will have off days too. Denyse
Denyse whelan blogs recently posted..FMY52Week Photo Challenge. 366/50.
Awesome! That’s one way to do it! At the moment, my kids still think everything I do is awesome (unless that’s just my inflated sense of confidence talking!) but I’m noting down your strategy for the future!
Emily M Morgan recently posted..Adopting an Attitude of Gratitude with the Whole Family, #MyParentingStory
Grace this is Gold… I should try this when I drop my Yr7 son – I think he would never come home.lol
Natalie @ Our parallel connection recently posted..5 things you can do today to be a stronger woman tomorrow
Haha you are so awesome! Was it Mr Surfer taking the videos for you?? :p haven’t tried to deliberately embarrass Lil Pumpkin before but she does feel a bit so when I’m around at sch snapping shots of her & being a mamarazzi sometimes hahahah
Ai Sakura recently posted..10 Types of Parents You Meet In A WhatsApp Group
Followed FYBF link from Handbag Mafia and thought I’d join in! I love the idea of playground grooves. I’ll take any excuse to dance, to be honest.
Oh Grace I feel for you. I have been there with those tears streaming down my young mas face as he clings to me for dear life.
But now we are a big Year 3 and I am lucky if I get a wave over the top of the or goodbye he is so eager to go to class and hang out with his mates.
On the way out the gate I am high five-ing mum’s, “look at me” I say, “out before the siren has rung.”
Sally@Toddlers on Tour recently posted..Photo Flashbacks: Into the Wild on a Bali Safari Journey
LOL! That is awesome! I never would have thought of that – but I probably would be embarrassing myself more than my son. He’d probably just out-dance me!
Di from Max The Unicorn recently posted..Review/Swatches: Rimmel The Only 1 Lipsticks*
That is seriously hilarious Grace! Dancing is the way to peace on Earth. Dance away I say!
Brilliant idea! I’m going to remember this for prep next year, I don’t give a shit what anyone thinks because I know how difficult this can be!!! Go you!
Eva @ The Multitasking Woman recently posted..How To Make An Informed Decision For Your Birth
DAMN girl you’re a legend, wish I had seen it. Sorry for my prolonged absence – I’ve been having a life. So glad they are getting into the groove. Meanwhile mine cries and clings to me at kindy drop-off, runs to fence and yells goodbye and then I have to drop off my other two metres away to their school. And they both want me to drop them in their room! It is nice to be loved but I do hope one day they won’t care if I do the drive by drop off! xx
Emily @ Have A Laugh On Me recently posted..I just couldn’t do it to him.
You’ve sure got the moves like Jagger! I think you’re awesome. My motto is usually when all else fails – dance it off. You’ve definitely done that. I can only imagine how hard it must be two upset at ones. You’re doing well xxR
I have to try this. You’re awesome.
Hahahaha, love it Grace! Next time you could sing “Shake it off” and do a little bum dancing, I’m sure the boys would love that 😉 x
Julie @ Off to the park recently posted..End of an era
TOTALLY BRILLIANT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Have a great weekend Grace!
Mary Denman recently posted..Photo Tip Friday: Using Water to Create Interesting Photos
I have been there. I once lay down and had a tantrum on the floor of Woolworths – and it worked a treat. Yes I was embarrassed for all of about 10 seconds but we never went through that again … Seriously though, there have been times when there have been real problems at play and then it’s time to talk to teachers or support staff. They can be invaluable.
Aaaw! you’re a bloody legend. My first was a clinger. Thankfully I have had no probs with the two girls. My problem is with getting them to leave! They both seem to love lingering on the play equipment at the end of the day. The school has a second breakup bell, five minutes after the first as a ‘get the flock out’ warning. I am so thankful for that bell some days 🙂 Things do change when you’re working and five clock rolls around!!
Alicia recently posted..Heart #fmy52weeksofmemories
GENIUS! Seriously, patent that now and you’ll be a millionaire! Brilliant!
We didn’t have any tears but I’ll keep that up my sleeve for future reference. (And I’m lying about the tears. We’ve had plenty of tears. At the end of the day. Do I HAVE to come home, mummy? School is so much fun! Equally mortifying, I assure you. I end up turning to the teacher and other parents and assuring them all that I’m lovely and fun and all manner of nice things.)
Emily recently posted..International Book Giving Day giveaway!
Haha I would so do something like that to kids.
Vanessa recently posted..Month In Review
You are a freakin’ genius!! I’m going to recommend this to parents who are worried about their kids separating from them! 😀
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