So apparently Sam’s school does a yearly first-grade musical, with costumes, dance numbers, and a lot of bang for the buck. I heard people mention it before, but I wasn’t aware until today just how big this thing gets; in past years, supposedly, they’ve had audiences of over 1,000, with people lining up outside the doors in the early afternoon to make sure they’d get a seat for the evening performance. 
There was a planning meeting today (no school for records work), and I went like a dutiful mother. Really, it turned out to be the teachers begging the parents who showed up to please sign up for set painting, costume sewing, organizing the program advertisements, or any of the other duties surrounding the production. The problem is that they seem to be doing a lot of the work that I’d have a shot at doing during the daytime; I don’t know how I’d do any of it with Gabe in tow, and I don’t really have any other options for him.
Happily, the other mothers in Sam’s homeroom were sympathetic. They almost all had older kids rather than younger, but they remembered being in my shoes and assured me that it’s understood that mothers with kids not yet in school were not going to be able to help as much. “You’ll do more when Gabe’s in school,” they said, “and you’ll be able to reassure the next mothers of young ones who come along. It’s okay!” I felt a lot better hearing that; a small part of me was worried that I’d be judged for not being a gung-ho, hands-on classroom mother. Heck, I’m judging me for that. 
But I’ll do what I can. I can’t sew, but I gave the costume lady my number for any cutting or pinning work with which I might be able to help in the evenings. I want to do my part, as much as I can.
Sam left the meeting with another mom. Her son called yesterday to see if Sam could come over to play today, and the two of them scampered off happily when the meeting was over. Gabe, naturally, was madly jealous; going to the gym after that was only small consolation for him. (We haven’t been there in a week, what with him being sick!). Hopefully, he’ll cheer up after his nap, when Sam is home again.
