There Is a Homework Fairy?

I am the product of a public school education in the state of Kentucky way back when.

When I was in first grade, we had pencil boxes, crayons, and flannel boards. It was not the least bit stressful, and from what I can remember, uneventful. Well, until Kenny Springer vomited his wienies and beans lunch in the hallway. 

Fast forward to the era of enrolling our children in a private Christian school where the easiest part of the day for my son in first grade was the bathroom breaks. There were so many rules for the children that it made my head spin. Of course we complied and walked in lockstep with the other families. However, carpool line was stressful. From a distance I could see the look on my son's first-grade teacher's face. She definitely could not wait to land on me about something - it was quite obvious. She wasn't exactly pleasant, and at her behest, I was to make sure he completed his worksheet.

It happened that on this particular evening my husband and I had a concert across town, and while my parents were in charge of watching our kids, I made sure they heard my plea for completion of that worksheet!

Upon our return that night, I checked to see that the sheet was complete. I flipped it over to see the other side and it was EMPTY! My son was sound asleep, my husband wasn't paying attention, so I took that sheet, walked into the dining room with my No.2 pencil, and wrote with my left hand and made sure that there were erasures of a six-year-old. It was quite the masterpiece if I say so myself! 

I went night night and all was well. I was a good Mommy - until the next afternoon at carpool line. James jumped in the van with his little sister right behind him. "Strap in!" I said, having no idea I was the one that needed to "strap in." "How was your day? Did you hand in your worksheet?" With the utmost glee James proclaimed, "I didn't even have to do my seatwork!" "Why is that honey?" I asked, quite unprepared for the answer. "The other kids were filling out their seatwork page from our worksheet but mine was all done. I told the teacher you did it!"

"No, James I didn't do it. The homework fairy did it.” (I lied, but if there is a tooth fairy there certainly could be a homework fairy!) He finished the story with a smile and informed me that his teacher said from now on Mommy CANNOT do his work! 

Well, I was done. The Christian school grapevine would carry the tale of my deception and horrible behavior unless I headed them off with an apology to the teacher. Just wondering, if we really don't care for someone and they are mean, do we need to ask forgiveness? Turns out God's word is pretty clear and I definitely owed the mean teacher an apology for my "wrongdoing." UGH!

It was Fall Festival day and the parents were all gathering to bring treats and snacks for the children. I brought mine and a little something else. I walked halfway to the teacher's desk and waived, then I mouthed, "I'm sorry!" She didn't budge. I got closer and smiled; she wasn't having it. Finally, I approached the desk. "I know you know that I completed James' sheet, and I'm sorry." She turned away, picked up the aforementioned sheet, and handed it to me saying, "Don't let that happen again, but you did get a good grade." I looked down and there were star stickers with smiley faces galore. My apology was accepted and I got a smiley face! 

So, fast forward. It is my daughter's turn for first grade. Guess what teacher I chose? Yes, I did and why you ask? Because she knows I am capable of cheating and I am still making up for it. It also turns out that she really isn't mean after all. I noticed when she had my daughter she was more sedate and even smiled in carpool line, so I had to know why. I stopped and asked her what had changed in two years. Her reply was accompanied by a giggle and a wink, "Prozac!"

Be good to one another, y’all, and forgive as He has forgiven you. Folks like me need it!