My 5-Year-Old Needs a Secretary

Ok, so you warned me. Before Chatterbox started kindergarten, I was put on notice by all of you primary school aficionados that the paperwork and homework involved was no joke. I laughed. I scoffed. I did not take heed. Well. The joke's on me!

Let me introduce you to the Daily Folder. It's brightly colored and is adorned with a lovable little frog sporting the motto: "Fully Responsible Organized and Growing." But do not be fooled. This Daily Folder and me? We have a love-hate relationship. Each day Hubby or I have to initial the Behavior Chart and return it back to the teacher. Then, there's usually about 3 - 5 notices or forms that need reading and filling out.

And don't get me started on the items that require a payment.

I literally just looked at my online banking statement and determined that, since September, I have written 6 checks to her school. I haven't written that many checks in such a short period of time in years. That doesn't even count the cash that I send regularly in a "labeled Ziploc baggie" for other assorted initiatives.

The Homework Packet, PTA, Parent Involvement Committee, School Improvement Committee, Media Center Store, Author Reading and Book Signing, In-House Field Trip, Reading Night, School Play, Chuck E. Cheese Fundraiser Night (shoot me now), Girl Scouts, Picture Day...I could go on. These are all examples of the various groups and projects that send paperwork home.

Now I love, love that the school is so active. And I truly appreciate the notes that come home, especially for those of us that aren't able to drop off or pick up our kid at school, but who want to stay connected nonetheless. I just wonder if there isn't a better way to communicate some of this stuff without the forest of papers that come on a daily basis. The other morning both Hubby and I were running around the kitchen like maniacs trying to rush to get out of the door to work while signing forms, writing checks, printing Chatterbox's school lunch account pin number onto a slip of paper to keep in her pocket - it was buffoonery. And then it hit me - my 5-year-old needs a secretary.

Preferably one who is "Fully Responsible Organized and Growing."

When she's not lost in the pile of school forms on her kitchen island, Justice Fergie blogs at her personal blog Just Fergie and her group blog, Mamalaw.