We, the Parents

This kid made her sophmore year transition to a new school in a new state look pretty easy. A superhuman feat, I tell you.  She also makes parenting a great teenager look easy too. I love this kid with all my heart. She is an amazing person.

This kid makes every transition look like a large-scale disaster. She challenges every bit of parenting know-how we have (or don't have). I love this kid with all my heart. She is an amazing person.

Anna's kindergarten year developed a dark, assertive side of Jeff and Tiffany Rozelle, The Parents. We always used to be those nice, never-ruffle-your-feathers parents. Now we'll go 10 rounds anytime, anywhere. So when Anna shockingly came home sobbing after a first day at her picture-perfect new school, we kicked into gear. We dealt with our daughter in the most supportive way we could, then constructed a nice but no-nonsense email to the teacher "just to let you know that this has been a tough move for Anna and she could really use _____ . She's nervous about being the new kid and ______ might be helpful." The teacher is not the warm and fuzzy type (the type Anna responds best to), but we were grateful that she was not defensive and she took our concerns seriously and put steps in place for the next day. And day 2 was much better.

We live in a district of wealth; parents are VERY hands-on. It is almost believable that the "Home and School" group somehow ordered up commercial-perfect weather to accompany the lovely tree-lined streets of the historic neighborhood for the first day. We cannot be the fussiest parents this lady has dealt with. The principal sent out an e-blast that there will be a "re-staging of the first morning of school on Friday since one of the buses was late and those parents and kids did not get to fully participate in the first day festivities and picture taking." I am guessing we are probably on the low-maintenance end of the parent spectrum here. Still, we are certain the teacher took great pleasure in the story Anna decided to share in her first writer's workshop. Remember when we were taking her to breakfast on her 5th birthday and when we showed up to the restaurant, neither one of us had her? Yeah, that one. "My teacher thought that was really funny!" I'll bet she did. 

We have talented girls that we believe are a gift to the world. How do we do what's best for each kid? How do we simultaneously shape their character and prepare them to be contributing adults while letting them know they are loved and precious just the way they are? Our identity as parents is constantly shifting. As Molly nears adulthood at an alarming pace, I am learning to cherish even the most challenging moments with my girls. 

Next big transition on tap: Mama goes back to work on Monday....