how I become one of those parents

I'd mentioned on twitter that Hijo made the honor roll during his first quarter in middle school, and that I got pretty jazzed seeing his name in the paper. This turned into a conversation with my twitter buddy @ET2U about how, watch out, soon I'd be sporting one of those "proud parent" bumper stickers, and man weren't they obnoxious and what about those kids who work really hard, bust their butts, but still only get average grades? I secretly vowed to never put one on my car, to never be "one of those" parents.

So naturally, when I got home from work that day, I was met by a very excited child. "I've got a surprise for you, mom!" he said, and showed me his official honor roll certificate and alongside it, one of those dreaded bumper stickers. "Let's go put it on the car right now!"

I waffled. I hemmed and hawed. I procrastinated. I mentioned how putting stickers on the car isn't good for it because you can't get them off, and what if, heaven forbid, there came a time when he wasn't an honor student anymore. Then we looked at it more carefully, and discovered that it wasn't a sticker, it was one of those (highly fragrant) vinyl window dealios.

"I know," I said, feeling very clever, "we can put it up in the window here at home."
"No, mom, because then nobody can SEE it."

What's a mother to do when faced with such obvious enthusiasm and pride? (Not to mention relentless badgering.) I think you know.

Comments

[Jill]

That is so funny. What's a mama to do?

[nina]

I mean seriously, he is SO friggin' excited about it. I felt like a real shit after trying to talk my way out of it. Resisitance is futile.

[Paul]

Speaking as a former honor roll student from the days before stickers of any kind were commonplace, I say good for you, and good for Hijo for earning it. Would that my parents had been supportive enough to boast about my achievements, even if a passive, my-kid-made-me-use-the-sticker-the-school-gave-us way.

Now, you realize, the suggestion of the possiblity that the sticker might have to come off the back window will be available should anyone develop a tendency to slack off in doing homework or study. Not that anyone I know would be stoop to such sly tactics, of course.

[nina]

Yes, I plan to take full advantage of the removable nature of said bragging device. And you made my heart go all squishy for the honor student Paul of yore.

[Donna Winter]

You are a better mom than I am. I am pretty certain that there are students who are using the chemical fumes emanating from that nauseatingly scented decal to get high. #fact I think it's possible I'm high right now... hmmm, maybe this honor roll thing isn't so bad...

*snerk*

Congrats to Hijo. Ragdoll was beside herself thrilled with the honor as well.

[nina]

No, no, I am not a better mom than anybody. We're all just doing our thing.

I saw Ragdoll's name on the list, and was not at all surprised. The school obviously did a good job of getting the kids excited about this.