It has been said, “out of the mouths of babes.” The last few weeks I have been given wisdom,
advice and council from my babes – ages 23, 22, and 16 respectively.
After much urging and encouragement from them, I decided to
return to college at the age of 48. Upon
making this life changing decision, I had absolutely no idea that there was a
code, a specific set of rules and guidelines, that one must strictly adhere to
in order to be considered a “cool college” mom.
Lest you lose sleep, please note that these are now laminated and pasted
in the front of my school notebook as I have already broken rules #2 and #6
(kind of).
1)
DO NOT WEAR SWEATS
Apparently, nothing says, “I am a mom
coming back to school” louder than a 40 plus year old woman wearing a pair of
sweat pants. Today’s generation has
definitely not learned to appreciate comfort over fashion.
2)
NO ROLLING BACKPACKS
I was okay with that rule. I did not understand, however, what a
statement the wrong backpack can make. My husband graciously bestowed upon me a
very efficient, hand-me-down business backpack.
After resuscitating my oldest child when he saw what I intended to haul
my goods in, he immediately texted his younger brother and sister a
picture of me with said backpack for their moral support. I was immediately given a three thumbs down
and a “Heck No” (and yes, I am cleaning up the language) from each child. I was almost tardy for day 2 of class due to
the family conference call regarding mom’s backpack situation.
3)
NEVER SIT FRONT AND CENTER OF THE CLASSROOM
No real reason is given for this rule and
therefore, I am left to conclude all on my own, that I should not look too
eager to learn.
4)
DO NOT EVER SAY THE FOLLOWING:
“I don’t get it”, “Can you repeat that a
little slower”, or “I don’t understand how to do my homework online”. ANY technological questions and dilemmas can be
solved privately in my own home with my personal technical support team.
5)
DO NOT WEAR HEELS…until you have a clear
understanding of exactly how far you will be walking. Well shoot!
I really wanted to try out my new pumps with my sweats!
6)
If you ever need to contact a classmate (ages 18 to 30) for ANY
reason, for heaven’s sake TEXT…DO NOT CALL AND ACTUALLY HAVE A CONVERSATION! Only if they call you, can you call them
back.
7)
And finally, from my 23 year old son attending
the same university, DO NOT EVER, EVER, EVER FORGET TO WEAR YOUR WEDDING
RING! I am not sure if I
should laugh or say, “Thank you!”
I am baffled, as I reminisce, as to how I ever
survived my nerdy, shy, awkward, and Farah Fawcett hair days without their
words of what “NOT TO DO!”
I do, however, feel completely blessed that it is still
totally “cool” for my 23 year old son to walk me to class on the first day and
for my 16 year old son to say, “Spencer, when you drop mom off, make sure she
has a buddy.”