Back in the 80’s, during my elementary school years, I would go to the YWCA after school program. When I think about my kids and their after care experience it’s so different than mine. I’d get picked up by a small bus and taken to the “Y” as we called it. My son stays at an aftercare program offered onsite at the school. My daughter stays at VPK aftercare in the same building as well. I wouldn’t get picked up until 5:30/6pm. Yet, I feel bad when my kids get picked up at 4 by my mom or 5:15 by me. They really do have it better than I did.
The life of a working mom isn’t easy and I realize now it wasn’t easy for my mom either. The difference is I used to do my homework on my own. I don’t want to sound egotistical but I never needed help. My son on the other hand, his homework with this new common core lessons, gives me headaches. I was a good daughter, at least that’s how I remember it, and I would get ready for bed without being told. Why can’t my kids be easy peasy like me? Could it be all the stimulants that exist today, but didn’t back then? Ipads, internet, social media, television shows galore to choose from? I remember watching The Facts of Life and Diff’rent Strokes. I didn’t have 30 plus channels to choose from, I saw what was on and that was it. Anyway, that’s my Pensive thought of the day. Come back next week and see what crazy thought I think of then.
