How would you like to be a parent chaperone to 4th graders on the Texas History Field Trip? That is the question I was asked recently. I always enjoy going on field trips. I get to keep an eye on my kids, learn something and see the dynamics of my child's grade and their friends. The Austin field trip is one of the more popular field trips. Usually, so many sign up that they have to limit the number. So, when I got the call from the teacher, I was so glad. I was excited about the whole trip and couldn't wait. So, when did my attitude change? Was it when the teacher informed me that they were short volunteers in our class? Suddenly, I felt like everyone knew something I didn't. Why weren't they going? Maybe it was after the parent volunteer meeting in which I learned about the rules and the tight schedule. I am not so good with tight schedules. Maybe it was when I realized I had to be at the school at 6:00 a.m. and would return around 6:00 p.m. That is early when you don't go to bed until 2:00 a.m. All of the sudden my attitude changed, I was starting to dread the field trip. I started complaining about it in my emails and phone calls. Poor me! I had to go on a field trip to Austin and chaperone 4th graders. A 12 hour trip, and half of that would be on the bus. UGH! Then my daughter told me she was sitting with her friends, not me. Double UGH! I was planning on reading or catching up on some writing. Now I might have to socialize and hold a conversation with someone else for 3 hours. I complained all the way up until I got there that morning. One of the first people I saw was my friend Brandy. She smiled and said, "You are so lucky you get to go. I have to work, but if I could go, I would." She had gone before with her daughters several years before. She said, "That is one of my favorite field trips. You will have so much fun!" That is when it hit me. I had a bad attitude and if it stayed that way, I wouldn't have fun. The kids in my group wouldn't have fun. I looked at Brandy and I said, "That is just what I needed to hear, thanks." Right then my attitude changed.
Guess what? I had a great time, I learned a lot about Texas history. The kids in my group were very well behaved. In addition, I was able to sit next to Darla. She and I take a tennis lesson on Fridays, we are on a leadership team together and she slept the first half of the ride. Plus, she is someone I have wanted to spend more time with and she is incredible. I had such a great time that I told my 2nd grader that I would be a chaperone when he gets to go. I don't think I will complain about this one!
Cammie Moise