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A Changing Role

This morning was the first day of middle school for Alexander and the beginning of Jane’s last year at the school that’s nurtured them for so many years. The kids didn’t need my help getting ready this morning though I do have the honor of cleaning the breakfast counter that they’ve destroyed in their haste to get out the door.

In addition to the strangeness of having two kids in middle school I’m also not driving them to school today or tomorrow. Our neighbor is taking the first two days this week and I’m taking the last two since it’s a four day week. It’s odd and a bit unsettling since the kids and I have been glued at the hip all summer.

At 7.40 they were waiting for our neighbor to swing by and I pulled out the camera. They know that there will be pictures and that made me happy because we were back to a routine that involved me.

And this is where it got weird again.

They sort of put their arms around each other, smiled some fake smiles for me and then I was like, “Okay now I need the one where you walk out the door.” And Jane looked at me and said, “Why?”

“Ummm because I don’t want to put you guys on my blog.” I said.

“Why not?” They both asked.

“I don’t know. I decided not to when you were little.”

They went on to tell me that they don’t really care and I should post their picture. So… cautiously… here’s the first day of school and the children who don’t need me (today anyhow).

27 thoughts on “A Changing Role”

  1. Of all the things I have witnessed you do as a mom, this is the most monumental. I am so proud of you; I know how hard this was for you. Hang on, sistah, raising teens is a roller coaster. But I always loved a good roller coaster. I am confident you will too. And how come you never mentioned that amazing hair on the two of them… they are freakin’ adorable!

  2. I am so proud. I mean… of you. My little blogger is growing up. And letting her children/young adults decide what they are comfortable with sharing. As my kids get older, they also get to pick the photo I use (if they allow a photo) and they detail for me what parts of their lives are off limits and what they really WANT me to share. You’d be surprised the things they decide they want the world to know. Wow Jessica… I’m truly proud!

  3. absence of alternatives

    Awww. They look so sweet!

    I do hope you stopped feeling sad and took advantage of the extra free time. Tell us tomorrow how you used TODAY, precious free time! It’s funny how kids see the whole online sharing differently from us.

  4. I know I don’t have to tell you, but your kids are gorgeous! But even better than that they are caring and intelligent. Good job Jessica and Mr. G.

  5. Their faces! When I saw this on Facebook, I was like, that can’t be right. Your daughter looks so much like you. It’s the smile.

  6. When I started blogging a year ago I was concerned about how my kids (20 and 22) were going to react to my talking about them – but they totally love it. In fact, my son (the 20 year old) will periodically ask when I’m going to write about him again! I think it’s a generational thing – they’re used to their lives being public on facebook. I’m lucky they’re such good sports!

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