High School Is Not A Musical

BigBro strolled the halls of his new home-away-from-home with a huge smile and an easy confidence. He had no idea that I had spent the previous hour being scared sideways (I was already straight!) during the parent orientation.

Our high school is an award-winner, known for academic excellence and sports accomplishments. My son will graduate with a class that is 5x the size of my class; this boggles my mind. The staff has created a network of mentors to guide the students through the maze and the peer pressure; I was impressed with the amount of information that was provided for the safety of my child and our family.

But Real Life looks a lot different than the Disney version.

During the parent meeting, I learned these things:
*The halls are monitored by retired policeman.
*60 video surveillance cameras keep vigilant watch.
*I could face arrest, fines, etc. if I serve alcohol to a teen,
unless he/she is my child. (NOT encouraged, of course)
*Kids are hiding alcohol in empty shampoo bottles
(check the bags at the door).
*Kids are hiding drugs/etc in their shoes
(leave the shoes at the door).
*A Driver's License is not easy to attain these days.
*I can access my teen's Facebook account by using the Safety box.

I'll be checking out these sites in the coming days:
Software4parents, ikeepsafe, and netlingo.
dare2share is an awesome site for Christian teens and parents. God has been leading me to focus in prayer for my children, especially #1 son.

(this is a copy of a photo taken when he was 5 weeks old)
My handsome, almost-6-ft tall son....I look at him and my heart sees his happy baby face, feels his toddler arms squeeze my neck, hears his clear voice sing along with Barney, touches the velvet skin on his sleeping form. He is skittish about my memories now; they don't jive with his newfound maturity.

I get it.
I just can't believe it got here so quickly.

Comments

[Grace]

Our oldest will go to high school this year too. We'll be attending Freshman Orientation on Monday. Excitingly, scary stuff as a parent!

[kelli in the mirror]

Wow. And Gillian will be that old in about five minutes, I know. It still seems far away though.
Hope BigBro has a great year!

[Lei]

This brought tears to my eyes! It IS going to be here before I know it. And what a scary world there is out there...

[Dana]

Mine is just starting 7th grade and I feel it too...I want to keep him young. He'll always be that baby to me!!!

[Michelle in Mx]

My eldest will be hitting kindergarten in two weeks. I really debated public vs. homeschooling . . . we can't afford private! I am so aware of what you are talking about. My prayers will be with her EVERY MOMENT! And this is just kindergarten!