Seriously…what else do I NOT know? Part Two

The phrase “you snooze you lose” has always resonated with me probably because I am never in the snooze category. Unfortunately this registration process, where everyone has an equal chance (Do you hear my sarcastic tone?), was for the birds in my opinion. But here I was amongst a sea of stressed out, panicky middle to upper class moms all with one goal in mind….get my child in this preschool. Oh don’t you wish you could have joined me? I admit I tried to count the number of parents in the room, but I lost count somewhere around a hundred or so. There really was no point. It was what it was.

Once everyone had received their number, school staff began calling numbers. When the moms proudly holding number one and two strutted to the registration table, the under the breath comments, dirty looks, and glares ensued. After about the fifth person registered, the preschool director picked up the microphone (which was now the enemy at this point), everyone gasped and then became silent. She said the dreaded words, “All three year old preschool classes are now FULL!” I am not kidding. People tossed their numbers in the air. Others immediately began texting and making phones. A few people made their frustrations known loudly, while a few others actually cried. (Hey, I can’t judge, I was on the verge of tears myself with all this anxiety and pressure.) Some moms started pacing back and forth. It was a very pathetic sight I must admit.

Regularly scheduled business resumed and every so often another announcement was made. I continued to hang on as I was hoping to enroll Nolan in the two year old, Monday/Wednesday class. I texted with my mom and James a little as I waited for my number to be called. (Side note: James played the role of the concerned father very well that morning. Not that he is not always a concerned father, but he stepped it up a notch that day. He wanted Nolan in this school as badly as I did, but for different reasons. He knew what my state of mind would be if Nolan did not get in!) To kill time I also got to know the other women around me. We shared information about other preschools in the area that may have to be considered. It was a dreaded thought, but we all had to be realistic. Open spots in this preschool were dropping like flies.

After what seemed like an absolute eternity, my number was FINALLY called. My heart pounded as I walked to the registration table. I handed a staff member my registration form and then she flipped from one page to another until I saw Two Year Old Class, Monday/Wednesday at the top. I quickly scanned to the bottom of the page and saw several blank spots. “You are in luck. Not full yet!” she said. I let out a huge sigh of relief. I quickly finished the registration process and wrote my check (of course) and proudly left that gym where the fate of so many children was still hanging in the balance! (Insert sarcasm once again.)

I could not start dialing fast enough to my mom and James to share the good news. I was so relieved and happy. I also knew in the back of my mind that we should not have to go through this drama again when we enroll another child since we were now officially “in” (as long as the older child is a currently enrolled student). I really thought I would not see this type of stress regarding my children’s education again until college. Well that is until a week ago!

Stay Tuned for the “Finale.”