Back-to-school makes me dizzy

"Thank goodness school is starting soon!"

Heartfelt words from my youngest stepson. My daughter looks at him like he's just sprouted a second head.

"No, really! Summer is great at first, but then it gets kinda boring, you know?"

"NO." Bekah is not having that. She's had free and ready access to her friends all summer; she's done a decent amount of reading, thinking, just plain 'being'. Summer does not get boring.

Like it or not, though, school looms on the horizon. And everyone is getting ready. Bekah's friend Jean-Marc transferred schools over the summer. No more University of Moncton; he's now happily enrolled at one of the two universities here in town. He roared into town last week on one of these:

That would be HIS back-to-school treat to himself. Saved for three years for it, he did.

Bekah's aspirations are a little more modest. Thank goodness. She wants paper, pens, and pencils.

"That's it?"

"Yeah. I have binders, a calculator, a backpack, my Bescherelle from last year. If I need more stuff, I'll find out when I get there."

My heart warms to this sensible girl. This sensible, inexpensive girls who, unlike certain siblings who have preceded her, a) manages to use the same gear for more than one year (!!), and b) seems to have a firm grasp on what is truly required for actual, you know, schoolwork. This sensible, inexpensive girl, who (inexplicably and amazingly, being my resident fashionista) HAS NOT MENTIONED CLOTHES. I am dizzy with relief.

"Nope, there's a ton more stuff you need." Daniel's voice joins the conversation from behind the Tech section of the local paper. "Check this out. You can get an Apple Macbook for a thousand dollars with a student discount. And then you'll need a laptop backpack, or at least a padded sleeve for your backpack."

He's not kidding. Daniel is our resident computer genius and all-round tech geek. He loves, loves, loves this stuff. The computer in his room (purchased with his own money) has two hard drives, two monitors, and enough memory to manage a space launch. He will be buying himself a laptop (though not an Apple) before he starts college in two weeks.

Bekah looks at the illustrated, two-page spread over his shoulder and snorts. "You need an iPod dock for school? How stupid do they think we are? How is THAT going to help you at school?"

"So you can listen to your tunes while you study, of course. It helps calm and focus your mind." Daniel widens his eyes and blinks at her.

"Yeah, right. They're just doing that because they're hoping that once parents start spending money they just won't know how to stop."

(Is this child for real? How did I get so lucky as to have the only teen on the planet who understands and resists marketing aimed right at her basest self-interest? Who doesn't heedlessly spend money on frivolous peripherals? Or expect others to do it for her? I am so proud. I am also feeling a little dizzy again, though it does help to stabilize me to consider she already has an iPod dock...)

Two days later, she bounds into the living room.

"Hey, mom! You know what would be the PERFECT 'Congratulations, you're in grade 10 now' gift? Just PERFECT?"

"No, what?" I have nothing to fear, right? This is my sensible, focussed, non-commercially gullible child.

"One of THESE!!!"

I think I'm feeling dizzy again.

Comments

[Daisy]

I'm laughing because she reminds me of myself in high school! I was very frugal, avoided brand name clothes, and (are you ready for this?!) rode a motorcycle.
I'm glad to hear she knows how important a helmet is. Come to think of it, I had a red one like this...

[Ilona]

It's not just important, it's the law. Jean-Marc, to his credit, won't let her ride without it, not that she expects him to. So, yes, I do plan on buying one for her. (But, shhh! It's a surprise!)

[Florinda]

Your youngest stepson and my stepson are cut from the same cloth, it sounds like. The 8-YO can't wait to get back to school. He LOVES school.

Even the 14-YO has had enough summer, although she is nowhere near as eager to start back to school (first year of high school - a whole new world for her) as her brother is.

You do have a very sensible teen daughter, and Bekah has asked for an entirely sensible Grade 10 gift - but she's clearly letting you know she wants to ride on that motorcycle! Is THAT what's making you dizzy :-)?

[Molly]

By grade 10 or maybe earlier, it is social death to be seen wearing a new shoes or clothing during the first week of school. "Oooh, did your mommy buy you a new back to school outfit?" LOL. Great days, these.

[Sylvia]

She's a treasure. But they all are, of course!

I never wore a helmet; I shiver now to think of the risks I took then!

[Ilona]

Florinda - I was playing to the gallery a bit, there. Yes, I was talking about her riding that motorcycle, and if I didn't think J-M was an entirely sensible young man, I'd be way more nervous than I am. (He was two weeks in this city before he'd ride it after dark, just taking the time to get used to this place first.) In fact, I'm only moderately nervous, but not enough to refuse to let her.

Molly - Great days, indeed. (Why does that make me think of the Beatles?) She says she has enough clothes! For now...

Sylvia - Isn't it awful? As a child I travelled hundred of miles unfettered in the back seat of the car, many of them kneeling on the back seat so as to peer out the back window. It's lucky we're alive to tell the tale!

[Margaret Cloud]

Well you know what they say "if you don't have gray hair by forty you have made it", aren't kids fun.