Identification Please
It is interesting as we go through life we identify ourselves differently.
When we were in high school it was "I'm in ASB, I'm in band, I am a football, basketball, baseball player." By identifying yourself you naturally fell in with a certain group of people. If you were involved with many things you could move from one group to another and still have something in common with your peers.
When you move to college you identify yourself with your major. The classes of majors are usually grouped close together. You run into those people over and over again. Same teachers. etc. You have stuff to talk about because you all are going through the same thing.
When you get married you start to identify yourself, in a woman's case, with a new last name. This new last name and joining the ranks of the married folk can be difficult for young women. Some older women do not know how to relate to the younger set. What are they to talk about? They all have kids. What are you to talk about? Many don't have an outside job. Their kids are their job. Talk about the men ladies. Ya'll got one of those.
When you get pregnant you identify yourself by how far along you are. People will open up and share horror stories with you if you are in your third trimester. Watch out! Then the child comes and you start to identify yourself by your child's age. "Oh, I have a 13 month old and a 3 year old."
As mothers, we naturally identify ourselves by our children. I have gone through all these stages and found none of them to be surprising or weird.... until PTA.
Oh, PTA is a different beast my friends and they identify themselves in a whole different way. At the first PTA meeting we had to stand up and say our names, what committee we were on (I had yet to join one) and what grades our children were in/how many children we had. Seriously, it is hard enough to keep track of how old my kids are now I have to announce their grade? I sat there, waiting for my turn, rehearsing what I was going to say. Oop! I'm next: "Hi, I'm Rachel Wattson and I am not yet on a committee but I am here to help whoever needs it. My children are in second grade and kindergarten." I sit down. Did you see my first fail? I forgot to include that I had a third child! Way to go me. Anyway, it was over. I wouldn't have to announce that again and if anyone remembered what I said and saw me with my 15 month old they could figure it out. Fast forward a month later at the Book Fair I am helping with. First off, I was not acknowledged by anyone in casual conversation. Most likely because I did not have the chance to introduce myself when I got there. The second day I came to help was not as crazy and during a lull I say "By the way, I'm Rachel."
"Oh, hi, Sandy 5th." In my head I am thinking excuse me? Then I realize she is identifying herself by name and her student's grade. Okayyyyy. So I guess this is a regular thing then huh?
