First day of Madison Junior High and I was a child with an unruly perm swept precariously into a banana clip. I wore a jean mini-skirt affixed to flourescent pink suspenders that matched my socks and shoelaces and banana clip. It took until halfway through my junior year to overcome the social consequences wardrobe and hair cast upon me that first day of 7th Grade. Just ask Blake- he'll confirm this. As will the messages scribbled through my yearbook margins year after school year.
This is why I didn't take school shopping for my 7th Grader lightly. It's the first time he was unencumbered by school uniform restrictions. The options were too broad and the tremendous responsibility of sculpting my kid for his Junior High career stressed me out. Lucky for me, on this trial run, he's a boy so the multi-faceted girl outfits of leggings, cardigans, camis, etc weren't complicating things. It actually didn't end up being too bad after all. Plaid shorts and T-shirts from Target and Ross allowed us to sculpt a look with confidence. Whew.
The difficulty lay in finding the right backpack. It took five stores to accomplish the mission. But the $35 black Tony Hawk camo backpack accessorized the look he hoped to convey to his peers at casting call that first day of Junior High: The "Hawk" printed on the outside conveying Sporty, the camo denoting Patriotism (with a suggestion of military for Tough) and black because everyone knows black is Slightly Rebellious Yet Trendy.
So he's set. Off he goes. Good luck at your audition!
You don't have to worry, Smalls. None of the kids in your class ever saw your Mom's 7th grade perm and I would never open either of us up to the persecution of posting a picture of it on this public blog. Oh, and with eyes that delectable, you really don't have to worry about what kind of backpack you wear, I promise. I wish I could make you believe that.
I don't know how I'm going to cope with school shopping for this little diva come 7th Grade. We can always hope middle school changes to uniforms? Please, school district? For my sanity?
This guy I don't have to worry about attending Junior High because I'm going to make sure he stays 6-years-old forever.
Good luck in school, little buddies.
5 comments:
Henry likes Holland's spiky hair picture on your sidebar. And I like your quick wit and good writing. Even if you DID wear a banana clip and pink suspenders. I'd really like to see that.
Pleeeeeease. Pretty please can we see the fluorescent suspenders with the bad perm?
I honestly don't think anyone noticed your stupid outfit because half of us were dressed like that. Grody to the max awesome!
You are so funny Aunt Jenna! Luv ur blog. haha :)
K...surprisingly, I haven't been too stressed about the 1st day of middle school...until now! I must have blocked from my memory my own experience and maybe have not fully appreciated the ramifications that could impact the next 6 years. So, I've now asked R. 3 times if she needs a new backpack, she says she's fine...I've asked what she's going to wear the 1st day, she just smiles and rolls her eyes at me. Could it be she's more laid back than Aunt Jenna; how could that happen with me for a mom? Hopefully, we won't be committing any major middle school faux paux...I guess I can let you know for sure in a few more days :)!
Laughing. Out. Loud. When I see kids now in fluorescent colors and plastic sunglasses like we wore in the 80's and want to scream, "It was bad enough the first time around, seriously!" That's saying something if Blake loves you when you've been through all the Middle School fashion together..hee hee. Your kids are decidedly more likely to be at peace with their back-to-school pictures 20 years from now. Good job, Mamma!
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