What I Want Their Teachers To Know About Us, on the First Day of 2nd and 4th Grade

Dear Teachers,

I'm not confident that it is a good idea to share these things with you. So Instead of saying these things directly, I merely hope and pray that you know...

1. Our school clothes come from the second hand store. It's the only way I can manage to clothe this large family. By the time the uniforms make their way down to boy #4, the knees of the pants are threadbare and the rubber sole of the sneaker is already beginning to detach. Please don't let other children make fun of him.

2. My children ran wild all summer. They were unsupervised, covered in dirt, and loud. I believe that kids are "free" from the tyranny of schedules and jobs for such a short time during childhood so we "underschedule" summertime, or at least try to. It may take them a few days and a few good scrubbings to get all the grime and wild behavior out. 

3. I work a second, and sometimes a third job to pay the rising cost of tuition. 

I understand the school's need to fundraiser but please know, we are already tapped. Our family and social networks are very small. When school is off or a child is sick, I have to rely on the older children, who then miss days of high school.

4. Their hearts are tender. They are eager to please but they still make kid mistakes. Please don't be too stern or critical with them. Let them keep their childhood joy intact.

Thank you.

M.o.b.