Because we all have loads of time to kill in the mornings, don't we?

*Cross-posted from MommyWorks*

I have until 9am to get to work every morning. I start at 9 and finish at 4. I finish off the day with an hour of work at home. A relatively laid back deal compared with most other working moms, I know.

We're all usually out the door by 7.15. I drop Jonah off at his school and then we're on the road again by 7.30, on the way to James and Hannah's school.

We get there by 7.50ish. I usually walk J & H to the gate and kiss them goodbye and I'm in the car again by 7.55/8. Then it's the long haul to work, which can take anywhere between 40 and 55 minutes in the traffic.

Last week, we received a notice from the primary school saying that winter uniform trousers must be pre-ordered from the school shop. The school has recently changed its entire uniform, so we're required to spend a small fortune kitting out the kiddies for each season. It's not as simple as that, though: you have to bring your children to the shop in order for them to try the stuff on and ensure it all fits.

The school shop is open twice a week, between the fantastically convenient hours of 8 and 8.30. Seriously: who has time to fart around at that time on a weekday? But, because I'm conscientious and because I'm leaving soon for 2.5 months, I decided to suck it up this morning and go to the shop. I told James to go his class, tell his teacher where he was going, and meet me at the shop. I took Hannah to her class and told the teacher where we were going. By this time, it was 8.05.

We did the trying on and the ordering and were out of there by 8.10. I said goodbye to them and decided that, because I was making fairly good time, I should go to the secretary and ask about violin lessons, in which Hannah recently expressed an interest.

I waited for the secretary to get off the phone for a further 5 minutes or so. She didn't. Eventually, another staff member asked whether I needed help and I told her why I'd come. She referred me to another secretary's office, just outside the door. I walked over there and was told to wait while this secretary finished what she was doing. She kept me waiting for a further 5 minutes. In the end, she told me to write a letter stating that Hannah wants violin lessons.

I then started the trek to the back gate where my car was parked. I got there, only to find that it was locked! I walked around to the front of the school and then walked alllllllll the way around the outside of the school to my car. By now, it was 8.25.

Don't you just love how schools operate? Everything within working hours, and you have to be late for work in order to be involved in your child's education.

Screeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.

Comments

[angel]

it is totally fargin unfair and irrational. something thats always infuriated me is that whilst out children do have to be educated, the schools are still providing a service. somewhere along the line- schools, banks and doctors all took the same "service" course!

[Wenchy]

Wait till high school when they write exams from 9 - 10am.... I mean how do u get yr child there for 9am... and then fetch at 10am when u suppose to be at work on the other side of town and this lasts for two weeks??