First Day of School

When it comes to meeting new people, I have always been a bit shy and awkward. I do not posses one of those characters which enjoys being in a roomful of strangers and making new friends. Of course, at home in Perth, surrounded by people who I have known for 20 or 30 years, this has never been much of a problem for me.

Even here in the US, knowing basically no one, I'm pretty much fine with my shyness. OK, it would be nice to be vivacious and outgoing, I would have a new circle of friends a lot faster. But, I am married to Jack who thinks that a room full of strangers represents a new and captive audience for his, lets call it unique, wit and humor. One way or another (most likely dragged kicking and screaming by Jack) I know I'll make friends eventually.

Seeing Declan on his first day at a new school, how shy and nervous he was, made me regret immensely that I have passed on my defective social genes to a new generation. Declan and I together create a powder keg of worry, nervousness and shyness. My anxiety amplifies his own and the fact that I am too timid to introduce him to others results in the two of us clinging together in the background and inevitable tears when it is time for him to go into the classroom.

Of course, the first day of school was made even worse by the reemergence of Declan's mosquito allergy. Those of you who have know Declan since he was small may remember the unfortunate day when he was bitten on the forehead by a mosquito at daycare. I was called to pick him up because my poor boy's entire face had swollen up to the extent that both of his eyes were nearly closed.

The swelling on his first day of school in the US was not nearly as bad as this but he had been bitten by mozzies above his right eye, on his left cheek, right neck and on both hands. Let's just say his face was a little asymmetrical.

He was so brave (we don't have a mirror in the kids bathroom yet - a true godsend on this day). I expected tears and not wanting to go to school (and I can tell you if my face and hands looked like that i wouldn't be going anywhere) but he did go and there were only a few tears on the first day. The swelling had gone down by his second day at school and I think that Declan is really starting to enjoy himself now that we are into the second week.

Biting the bullet, and realising that both mother and son need to get a bit more outgoing, we are organising a dinosaur party for Declan's birthday with his entire class. Yes that's right, it will be Jack and I and 26 kids. At least I have some great theme ideas from Kirsty de Roach, so while the party may descend into mayhem, at least the photos should look good.