A lesson every Mom must learn...

So I have a story to share, I wish it was funny or witty but sadly it is just one of those mom stories that we all have, the type we file away under lessons learned. I hope that this one will help someone else avoid a similar situation. To preface the story it is important to know a few things, first we live right across the street from Joseph and Lillie’s elementary school and second they recently started walking home without me (which you can imagine was a difficult choice for me). Anyway, back to the story. Tuesday after school I was watching for the kids as usual. After 20 minutes of waiting and seeing no Joseph and Lillie, I was starting to worry. Van was asleep so I resisted the temptation to go find them hoping that they were just dawdling. However, I could not see them anywhere. Finally, after about 25 minutes I could wait no longer and headed out the door into the snow, without Van. Yes, I left him sleeping, feeling sure that I would be back in less than 5 minutes. Thinking that leaving him asleep and warm in his bed must be better than taking him out in the snow. I was certain that I would meet the kids along the way and we would head straight home to a sleeping baby. Sadly, this was not the case. As I headed to the school and walked through the schoolyard towards the school Joseph and Lillie were nowhere to be found, nor was anyone else. When I got to the door closest to Joseph’s class I found it locked. This is when the panic started. Luckily, I saw Joseph’s teacher coming my direction and knocked on the door. She came towards me looking worried, another wave of panic, my last hope was that they were still in Joseph’s classroom. Her face said otherwise. As she opened the door I asked if Joseph and Lillie were in her room and she said no. But that we could do an all school call to see if they were still in the building. Then full-blown panic set in what was I supposed to do, remember I left Van at home thinking I would be right back. Do I stay and look for Joseph and Lillie or do I go home to Van. I decided to go to the office with Joseph’s teacher. Over the course of the next few minutes we found them. It turned out that through some miss communication they walked to a friend’s house where Lillie was supposed to play after school instead of coming home first, which I thought was obvious. In the mean time, Joseph’s teacher from last year had called another friend to go to my house and sit with Van while we figured out where Joseph and Lillie were. After I found out where they were and that Joseph was actually on his way home I headed home. When I got home Joseph and Van were both safe and my friend was there waiting for me. I was very relieved, and grateful to see both of my son’s safe despite my afternoon of mistakes. My friend left after many heartfelt thank yous. After talking to Joseph and getting his version of the story I was able to put things together a bit better. And found that neither Joseph or Lillie were trying to be sneaky or disobedient, they were just confused. So what did I learn?

o Do not assume your kids will not wonder off, remind them often of the rules…especially if there is a change in the routine, and make sure they know how things are going to work.

o A cell phone is useless if it is on your dresser at home

o Don’t leave a sleeping baby, not even for a few minutes you never know what could happen

o Thank goodness for good teachers, school principals and friends. Believe me I was a mess but I would have been much worse if it had not been for their help.

o There is probably a logical explanation, explore those before you panic

So I hope this story doesn't make me sound like a horrible mother, but if it does it will be worth it if it can help someone avoid the heart wrenching situation I put myself in.