Yesterday morning I got in an argument with Will as he left for 1st grade. I wanted him to take his hat and make sure he wore it on the playground to protect his freckly goodness from the evil sun.
“Mom, they don’t allow hats on the playground. Only in your backpack!” he cried.
Ha. Like he can pull one over on me.
“You take your hat, little mister!” I cried back.
He was very earnest in arguing he couldn’t wear it. After he left, I called the school just to check. Now, our school recently banned ALL birthday treats as part of its new wellness policy. (Heaven forbid kids eat a cookie every week or a non-allergenic treat such as a Dum Dum lollipops.) Surely this school wants to protect kids from skin cancer, too.
“Are kids allowed to wear hats on the playground?” I inquired sweetly of the secretary who picked up the phone.
“No, not on the playground or in the building at all. Except winter hats.”
Silence.
“So you’re telling me the kids can’t eat cookies, but they can all die from skin cancer in 20 years?” I asked (trying to keep the sarcasm from my voice).
Pause.
“Y-e-s-s-s-s,” she stammered out.
Well, that’s settled. My kids is wonderful for telling the truth, and I’m evil for sending a dreaded non-winter hat to 1st grade. And my elementary school lacks all common sense in the world!
