Parent Drop Off, School Zones..."CU, later😃😟" 

Orientation: Which, in our professional field, includes knowing your "time, place, and person" Or, when you're at your best, "Times Three" Well past the time when you had memorized your two's...During "Parent Orientation" at your school aged child's school, or even on campus these days, you learn as a parent when, where you are wanted (call it 'in-tuition'🤑), and where, when you are expected to simply, "drop off". Which, given the numbers and limited times can, if traffic is not directed accordingly, cause quite a bit of congestion, if not a "stir" ("you're in my #$^& way...!). So, having Rules and Regs, otherwise known as "protocol" for such a procedure, contained in the Parent Handbook (overlaps but areas of mutual exclusion from that labeled "Students Only") is understandable. But what happens when parents take this direction too far, as in too literally...like when we first encountered the sign "Slow children play here" -- the sign that was missing the comma, only corrected after...

Missing Parents: "Survey says" What not only the freshmen on campus, but those well-schooled...and when parental guidance, influence(rs)...are no longer "present!" What our professional field ends up fielding on such occasions, "separation anxiety". And what I/we will determine to be..."Within Normal Limits" As almost expected. Not a surprise. So...why R We? "Shouldn't come as a great surprise" is the saying, that in the absence of...what's called these days, whenever my password, professional credentials are approaching, or have actually become "out of date" that...

Critical Action Required: Which, in the practice of parenting, requires, on occasion...corrective actions. But what I'm talking about here and now, is another, just as critical step, to reverse a trend that has been what all health practitioners call, "Insidious" -- gradual...subtle, almost undetectable...

D.A.R.E. U - To find a government sponsored program that, after critical review, surpasses what parents are able to provide, in order to keep them safe, out of harm's way...

Harm-full: To what you once considered, when you first brought this "bundle of joy" home from the "birthing unit" -- an "armful". Soon after which you pledged...allegiance, to not allow any harm...and to walk arm-in-arm with those who would also look after them...alliances, associations...organizations...

PTA...PTO's One which represents us, the parents and teachers, who are in turn looking out for the students, more on a national level, and the other more locally, with less dues...to pay. Both halves of which realize they are better off...working together. Speaking of paying their dues...

Crossing Guards: Many of which have come back to serve, even after paying their 'dues' as parents, teachers, sometimes even doing double duty. Who, given the occasional pushy parents have to be a bit cross😠 themselves, in order to get their point across...The main point of which...

Parent Presence: "Don't be a stranger...we won't bite..." Common, never-out-of-date sayings to ensure "maximum coverage" as in sustaining a presence throughout your child's educational years...which, according to my surveys, continue to be a critical element, even up until, after they leave home..."CU around campus...right?"😢

"Please don't"...drop off the radar and whatever you do..."Please don't redo my room...😟😞"

"I'll be right back..." Right after I drop off a few things my kids forgot...😔(AKA Unattended, Consequences)