I have dreaded most school events my entire life as a parent. I go. I smile and sigh at being trapped for whatever it is we're there for. Call me insensitive? Whatever- don't care as it's the truth. I love seeing my kids sing in the play, playing the triangle at the christmas concert or running the 100 yard dash at a track meet. It's cute and nice watching my kid. I have always hated the politics and hierarchy of the parental social structure in schools. HATE IT.... It very much reminds me of when I was in the Navy, being newly married, and my wife had to belong, conform and "deal" with the squadron wives club. You could not "not" go. I'd always cringe at the after action report of her going or helping at a meeting.It was very much like the first day of junior high all over again. Brutal and petty.

Fast forward to the school my daughter goes too, it's drama free and the group of parents we hang with are great decent folks that are just fun to be with. No judgement, no competition just parents sitting watching their kids pass the basketball and the girls cheer. All in the name of school spirt. Maybe it's because the kids are older and our tolerance for BS is behind us with our advanced age?. Maybe it's because many of us are on our last kid in high school and we're embracing these last years? Maybe, we're all broke from tuition and silently commiserating at having to sell more calendars for the February (mandatory) raffle? Or, having to work at the Bingo Hall as part of the catholic educational experience (it's humbling). Regardless, I cherish these games: Football, Basketball, sneaking out in the parking lot at halftime for a beer or planning to go party with other adults and laugh about the crazy stuff our kids do. Yeah, school really isn't for kids (at least this point in my life....) I'll miss these times more than any other in my parenting life.