Solo Parenting & Camp Line | Egg Hunts | Free IMAX
How's your week been?
My husband is coming back from a week-long work trip tonight. Kids will be happy to see him and I doubly so. Yep, as I heard from sympathetic parents all week, everyone knows solo-parenting is hard. (Which makes me really appreciate the parents -- ok, mostly moms -- who do this all the time. They must be superwomen!)
Add to it that crazy summer camp sign-up line on Monday that's all the way to the door. Apparently this only happens at our school. Everyone else still has spots, so if you're one of the families that are on the waitlist, check out the forms here.
Our principal was surprised to hear about the line. "Why no on-line sign-up?" Good question. In case you're wondering too, the community schools had a committee to look at solutions, and after a year they couldn't decide, due to equity and privacy concerns.
I know everyone means well, we don't want to make it hard for families without digital access, but perhaps we could get a couple of laptops at schools for those parents? Or give free lunch families priority? Some things are easy in Cambridge, like the education budget we have that's 2x the state average, and some things are, well, not so easy. :)
If things like this feels like they should be solvable, regarding our public schools, then you should come to the Cambridge Parent Summit that a group of us diverse parents are organizing for May 12th. You can come for an hour or for the whole day and we'll have lunch and childcare. We are all about parent voice and taking actions. Vote for topics on your mind and hear from other parents!
Sorry, back to solo parenting. I'll spare you the daily raising my voice at the kids, and just give you the high (and not so high) lights.
My lowest point: last Saturday when I took kids to the park, I fell and landed hard on my back, and couldn't get up and just lay on the ground. My stream of consciousness: "Geez, what if I get hurt? Too bad my inlaws (who live nearby) were also traveling. I'd need to ask friends for help. Good at least I have the phone. Maybe the kids can ride with me to the ER if I call 911."
My kids didn't know what to do. Fortunately a kind passer-by came by to check on me. And I struggled a bit but got up after a few minutes. I sat and waited, and felt better physically. But still wondered, what if I hit my head and pass out, would my kids know what to do?
Hmm... that might be a longer convo with the kids. :)
The high points: I'm very, very grateful for all the parent friends who helped me through this week. Thank you for taking my kids, so I could go for a much-needed run; for having me over, so I don't have to make dinner that night and giving me some adult company, and for taking my kids so I can attend an 1.5 hour School Committee meeting! :)
In case you're wondering how these came about, some cases I just mention to friends I'm on my own, others I wrote and asked if they wouldn't mind having my kids over. People are so willing to help!
That's a good thought to end on. Have a great Easter Weekend! :)
Weekend Events
Spring Bash at Google - come & support our public high school students! Celebrate Our High School Students with Friend...
Thursday, 6:30pm, Google Cambridge Campus 
Empow Studios NanoCamp - Good Friday
You won’t believe it. We’ve taken the Empow Summer Camp experience so loved by kids and parents alike, and we’ve…. SHRU...
Friday, 9am, Empow Studios, Lexington 
Last chance! Free Film Fridays at MoS
Thanks again to generous support from MathWorks, all shows in the Mugar Omni Theater each Friday in March (2, 9, 16, 23...
Friday, 10am, Museum of Science Mugar Omni Theater 
Join us for a dazzling display of circus acts performed in an enchanted garden. "The Fairy Circus" is a showcase for tu...
Friday, 10:30am - Sat., Puppet Showplace Theater, Brookline 
Join us for our monthly family dance party, Kids Jam. Live DJ. Dance lessons. Games. Free dance.
Friday, 6:30pm, Boston Children’s Museum, The Common 2nd Floor 
8th Annual Easter EggStravaganza!
This is our eighth year hosting our fun, free, family event for kids of all ages. You and your kids are invited to join...
Saturday, 10am, Riverside Press Park 
Play Date: Exploring Art + Technology
Books and Looks | 10:45, 11:15, 11:45 4TH FLOOR POSS FAMILY MEDIATHEQUE Staff led picture book readings engage kids a...
Saturday, 10am, ICA: Institute of Contemporary Art 
Event takes place rain or shine! Easter fun is just a hop, skip and a jump away at Stone Zoo! Guests are invited to ...
Saturday, 10:01am, Stone Zoo 
Easter Crafts at King's Chapel Parish House!
We invite children and adults of all ages to create Easter-themed crafts and to hunt for eggs in our Parish House garde...
Saturday, 1pm, King's Chapel Offices, Boston 
Egg hunt "Save Sleeplessland: mission Easter Bunny"
We eagerly await young heroes aged 5-8! Join us for an egg hunt in the form of a mission to save not just the easter ...
Saturday, 3pm - Sun., The Arnold Arboretum, Boston 
For kids ages 7-12. After-School Acting is our FREE program that introduces children to the theatrical arts. Under t...
Thursday, 4:00pm, Arts at the Armory, Somerville 
Southeast 67 Documentary Film Viewing and Discussion
During the crack epidemic in Washington, D.C. during the 1980s, 67 seventh-graders are promised college scholarships by...
Friday 4/06, 6:30pm, Cambridge Friends School, Meeting Hall 