Warning Long Post!!!!!
Just thought I would let you all know how parents evening went last night. I had highlighted with florescent pink all the insensitive comments on DDs report. I deliberately had prepared dinner and had taken time out to think calm thoughts beforehand. At last minute DH had emergency at work and could not get away ? deep breathes and reassure myself that I could cope alone! Just going out the door when DD3 started choking on her dinner (bad day after busy weekend) so dealt with that, removed all food and headed off with seconds to spare.
First 2 teachers were fine. Felt they were understanding and seemed more or less realistic-ish about expectations for next year.
Then stood all alone with loads of healthy, lively teenagers and parents around me waiting to see the next 2. I could feel myself getting more and more wound up as I seemed invisible (if you saw my size you would see that is very difficult!) while the other parents dived in to be seen ahead of me. Just as I was edging to the front of the scrum dis-organised queue out of the corner of my eye I see the head approaching and determined not to make eye contact I looked down only to hear a booming ?Mrs B?.? heart dropped to the floor, but I managed to not cringe too much as he stood towering over me discussing policies and the fact that he was very sorry that there had been a mix-up (no mix-up that I can see, but that?s another issue) in an incredibly loud ?assembly? voice while every other parent seemed to go very quiet, look in my direction and ears wagging like radars.
While this was going on the scrum moved forward, after the head sauntered off I was left once again at the back! Eventually (1 hour late, by now ) I managed to get to Sports Study teacher, shook her hand, introduced myself and before my bottom had landed on the seat she said ?How often is DD training now, and is she still swimming competitively at county level?? Jaw to floor, heart in mouth, head turned to mush, me looking like a demented goldfish I somehow eventually manage to squeak ?Did you know DD has ME?? Apparently, she did!!!!!!!
Anyway she then proceeded to give me a 10 minute lecture talk on the fact that in 1986 she had ME and was never believed by anyone. I had a run down of symptoms, treatments, Drs, colleagues and a useless husband (now ex- I heard all about why he is now ex??...) to the minutest detail. When she paused for breath I managed to wave a pink highlighted report at her and asked if she could understand why I might be upset with it. She took it from me, ripped it up said ?Don?t show DD, its rubbish?. Then went on to give me a further 5 minutes on how disappointed she was that DD would not get the top grade (any grade) that she was expecting, how life was so unfair, what a fantastic swimmer she had been with so much promise and expectations ahead of her, ending with a "don?t be upset, Oh no I have upset you now, don?t cry, oh no, oh please???" Brain turned off, demented goldfish gave up, rolled over and floated to the top of the tank!!!! I somehow extricated myself to the toilets where I locked myself in for 10 minutes. Deep breathing, cold water and shaking thoughts out of my head!
Back to the scrum for the maths teacher, but I cannot tell you a word she said, brain was in hibernation, shock or I was just too embarrassed and just wanted out!!! Ran out to the car (missed seeing SENCO, cos I had had enough) where I had to sit for 10 minutes pretending to be on the phone before I felt safe enough to get home.
Arrived home, only to remember that I had wanted to stop at shop for wine on the way home, so had to make do with a can of coke instead!!!!!
Round 2 this afternoon in meeting with LA and making plans for next year!!!! Don?t think of demented goldfishes. I will start deep breathing now in preparation!