Not Me? Couldn't Be!

Work today was busy. It is the second week of school. Routines are starting to fall into place. All of the faces and names are beginning to become a part of my permanent memory.

Today was the first time our head of the school was not there. You could tell. Boundaries were tested and re-enforced. It seems that teen girls are less dramatic than boys. We will see as the year goes on.

I was tired going in, but even more tired coming out. I was thankful for 4 o'clock and jumped in my ride to head home. After two quick pitstops, I realized that today was Thursday. Oh no. The rabbit needs a pick up. My son joined soccer at his school and would need a ride home. No biggie. Off I went....

He was there exactly at the right time. He hopped in and away we went. I was thinking about what I would do first when I entered my abode. Would I lounge, make dinner or crash??? Then I heard "Look mom! It's Hanky." Sure enough, in a minivan next to us was Hanky and his mom. We are all friends so we waved back to them and then the red light turned green and away we went.

I commented to my son that my friend was a soccor mom. She was always running around with her kids taking then to hockey or whatever sport they were in. Definitely a soccor mom there.

Then my son said it....."But you are a soccer mom too.."
"What?" was all I could say. Me???? You have got to be kidding.

There was a pause. We were at the next red light. My son clearly pointed out that I drive the minivan, am an active parent in his life and that I had just picked him up from soccer practice. Yep, he was right about those things.

"Well, at least you won't have to worry about me putting one of those 'I'm a proud parent of an honor roll student' bumperstickers on the back. No need to lower the value of the minivan than it already is." Then, the light turned green and off we went.

Within 15 minutes, I was snuggled in my jammies on the couch eating cereal with my kids. How divine.

Since I have no worries of the title, I did decide to wikipedia it up......just in case you don't know what on earth I am talking about....

Soccer mom
In North American social, cultural and political discourse, soccer mom (and less used soccer dad for the male equivalent) refers broadly to a demographic group of women with school-age children. In general, the term "soccer mom" refers to the concept of American post-feminist motherhood as an amalgam of traditional domestic values with modern feminism (1960s-1980s), and is associated with modern material conveniences such as the SUV and cell phone. A soccer mom is typically imagined as upper middle class, probably college-educated, most often suburban or exurban, and typically white. The "soccer mom" typically indicates a single income family, where the husband works while the wife is a homemaker. Since the 1980s, two incomes are widely considered to be "requirement" of the typical working class family in the U.S., and in this context single incomes symbolize both affluence and a disconnect from the working and lower middle classes. The term can carry pejorative connotations, where the soccer mom may denote a woman who is aloof and has little responsibility or occupation, other than providing basic transportation for her children. In feminist circles, the soccer mom may refer to a woman who has given up on a promising and successful career, particularly after having some early aspirations and achievements. In this context this may carry the meaning of someone of diminished individual character. However, the word is not entirely negative, those described as soccer moms sometimes take pride in the term as affirmation that they are dedicated to providing attention, recreation and positive social contact for their children.

Defining the soccer mom

The term is thought to have been coined by a woman running for city council in Denver, Colorado. When asked for her credentials, she replied: "soccer mom." It came into widespread use in the 1990s, notably during the 1992 U.S. presidential election and 1996 presidential campaigns and since.

Literally, soccer moms drive their children to play soccer. At once, the soccer mom is associated with encouraging, if perhaps overscheduling, their children with activities, and with making personal sacrifices for their children's benefit (taking them to play), while perhaps remaining somewhat overprotective.

The term has found a life as shorthand for a stereotype, or set of stereotypes, far beyond its literal meaning.

Most widely, perhaps, they are associated with driving Volvos, minivans, or SUVs. Active pride in their children may be displayed, for instance, with membership in a Parent-Teacher Association, or with a bumper sticker boasting that her child is an honors student at their school. They may also have drinks and snacks in the car, for when the children finish school and/or soccer.

As you would see if you truly knew me that "that" could never be the real me......but it is a little close, but no cigar!

Stay sweet 'n smile............................Mz.