What "click" are you in?

I returned home today from my first real overnight chaperon trip. I ventured South with my daughter's school to a water park in Ohio. It's smaller-sized, equipped with all of the necessities to keep a large group of 10 and 11 year old's occupied for approximately 6 hours.... we were there for 24 hours... chaperons were not allowed to frequent the hotel bar... luckily I brought my Zanax...

Although I could probably write an entire post on my experiences with the children (the "boy drama" alone can make your head spin), I would rather share my enlightening experiences with the other parents on the trip...

I do not spend much time with other school parents (I use the "working mom" excuse for what it is... an excuse... but it's more by choice) There are that very select few that I choose to socialize with outside of school functions, but I only know the rest of them as "Billy's mom" or "Suzie's dad". I am totally fine with this...

I made some observations of the parental "clicks" at our trip... they closely mirror those of the children we were supervising:

- the "popular" parents: These are the parents that almost everyone wants to be friends with. The ones that are active on the PTA and put on the fake smile when greeting you as if they really want to be your friend too, as they make snide comments when you walk away. They are the "go to" people for the teachers... as if they need to consult with them before making any decisions.

- the "nerd" parents: The ones that organize the crafts and "fun" activities for the kids (not really realizing that children this age do not care to do crafts on a school trip). They strive to be included with the "popular" parents, but just never get to that level. Usually used and abused by the teachers... but they do not seem to care.

- the "outcast" parents: These are the ones that hang on the outskirts of the other groups, usually being loud and obnoxious, and causing as much trouble, if not more, than the kids. They organize the pranks and are looked down upon by the teachers. These parents don't seem to care. They spent a lot of time and energy talking about the "nerd" and "popular" parents.

What "click" do I belong to? None of them. Similar to my experiences in school, I am usually pleasant to everyone, but really not part of any particular "click". I am totally fine with this...

I spent my day reading a book, sipping on a Cappuccino, and actually trying to watch the kids... all while listening in on the conversations of "boy drama".

xoxo

-P-