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I struggled very much with letting go of my firstborn into kindergarten, and also with taking the time to get involved in the school in any way – volunteering, chaperoning, donating and just being there. Another casualty of being so nervous about the transition is that I didn’t make the most of my friendships with the parents of my daughter’s classmates. These friendships are GOLDEN. These are the people we will have in our lives at least until our kids are 18. Maybe and hopefully longer! These are the parents you can call when your carpeting guy is an hour late or you need to sign for a very important camera delivery, and you can’t get to the school by 3:00. These are the friends who will hold your hands and your heart when you most need it.
I brought new OREO Thins to our prized after school playground time earlier this week, and reflected on my school friendships. With the weather getting colder, and with life being so hectic sometimes, I feel that our group of friends is getting closer. We are with each other through thick and thin, and going through so many life transitions together – kindergarten, kindergarten graduation, new babies, career woes, confusion and just all-around family living. It’s so nice to go somewhere every weekday where everyone knows your name and is happy to see you! I look forward to that time every day.
With this time being so precious and important, I decided to make a list of ways to make the most out of your time with your school parent friends. My parents are still friends with many of their friends from my school days, and I can’t imagine life without them. I’d love to think of Scarlet and Des knowing that their friend’s parents will always be there for them, the way they are for me. So here are my top ways to make the most out of some of the best friendships I know:
1. Have a weekly breakfast (or lunch, snack or coffee) date: Some weeks are so hard we have more than one! Every Wednesday morning we have an inclusive, standing breakfast date at 9:15 at our new special place. It changes every week and sometimes people are late or leave early, but that adult conversation time is so key. We see each other on the playground every afternoon, but we’re always interrupted by our children. It’s nice to have uninterrupted conversation.
2. Have a Facebook or WhatsApp chat room available for conversation, questions, play dates, etc. You can even create or join a school-wide Facebook group to stay in touch on weekends, during summer, and on those hard and cold winter days.
3. Take pictures! That one is obvious to a photographer like me, but I’m so interested in preserving these special memories. We’re so often not in the photos, and instead taking photos of our kids. Get in those pictures!
4. Go for walks! Get to the school a little early and grab a friend or two (or more) for a walk around the school fields or track. It’s especially beautiful this time of year, but will keep us warm when winter hits!
5. Have a book club, or a club to talk about anything! Books, movies, TV shows, whatever. It’s nice to connect.
6. Have a night out together! Personally I love board game nights or trivia nights, or going out to dinner and/or dessert with friends. This is when Cassidy stays home with the kids or if he wanted to come, we’d hire a sitter.
7. Include school family friends in your weekend activities. Since our kids are all growing up together, it’s fun to arrange play dates on the weekends that are fun for the whole family, and seasonally appropriate.
8. Get involved. Together. Grab a friend and go to the PTO meeting, or a school fundraiser. Help your friends who are running for school committee or other positions. We are all in this together!
9. Arrange a special occasion or treat. One of my friends brought doughnuts to the playground once, and I was so inspired by the idea, that I now bring OREO Thins As you can imagine, they are a hit.
I found them at CVS and NEW OREO Thins are available there nationwide in three flavors – Golden, Original and Mint. I was so excited to see them at my local CVS earlier this week.
OREO Thins are the perfect satisfying snack for adults who appreciate the crispier cookie texture in the thinner OREO cookies – and for adults who appreciate getting together after school and enjoying a treat together while the kids are playing or still in class. Since I am most hungry during that 3:00 – 4:00pm hour, it’s exciting for me to bring a new treat to try.
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I LOVE Oreos. And who better to share them with than some good friends.
They really are so great. I’m snacking on some right now. I brought them to the school and I can’t believe I have any left.
I bet these would be awesome dipped in milk! I met one of my closest friends on the playground when our boys were kindergarteners. We’ve shared many glasses of wine, but no Oreos. Yet.
Ah, there’s always still time for Oreos!
This is such a good point- having a great support system is crucial as a parent, and nobody knows the struggles like a fellow parent going through the same things! #client
It has certainly opened my world! I love the friends I’ve made, but there’s power in knowing you all have each other’s backs for many years to come.
Thank you!
Love Oreos, too and would love to share some with you! Seriously though any excuse to share and see you for real would be aces in my book 😉
I know, one of these days.. I just know it! With OREOs!
LOVE the idea of a standing date every week, especially breakfast–so easy and it’s hard to get schedules too conflicted that early in the day! And these Oreo Things look amazing (and p.s. super cool that they’re vegan friendly!!:-)
I remember that from when I was nursing Des and thought he had a dairy intolerance! He didn’t but I sure loved OREOs during that month or two.
My best friend just had a conversation with my oldest,and told her that she could call her any time if she ever needed to talk about something she couldn’t talk to me about. That conversation was precious to me. I trust Julie to act in my stead if there were ever anything FJ needed to talk about and I’ve told FJ that she can trust Julie not to tell me about their conversations (unless someone is in danger).
That is SO awesome. That’s love and trust right there.
I would love to get together with the other volunteers from the food pantry – we have worked together for a long time and it would be great to just hang out and relax together.
Yes! That’s so inspired. It took me a full year to get it together with all of these amazing people. I guess I was present enough last year to start friendships, but summer was awfully quiet and we mostly did our own thing.
Those thins are SO GOOD. How did it take them so long to invent those? Great for sharing with friends or with a big glass of milk too! I haven’t tried the mint ones, but the chocolate and vanilla ones are great.
I was impressed at how good they are! The flavor is very strong and they go down easily. I think I love that the servings are different than with regular. YUM.
I absolutely adore Oreos, but have to be careful and not eat too many. The Oreo Thins might be the perfect solution!
Well the problem is that you can eat double the Thins! But it still somehow works out. I really love them.
I’d love these! I love my Oreos.
Right! I don’t think about OREOs without wondering if you’d like them too.
Awww, Reiko and I love Oreos!! It’s so nice that you’re friends with your kids’ parents and that you go out on breakfast dates. I have never met any of Reiko’s classmates and classmates’ parents because I’m not the one who brings him to school.. ugh, because, work. His grandma though made so many friends at school which is also good to know.
Well it took me awhile! And with preschool, I think it took a full year to learn the names of all the classmates, AND their parents, AND to learn which classmates belong with which parents, and which parents were married and whatnot.
Such great suggestions. I need to make more time for friends. My sister introduced me to these Oreos this summer – and I’m addicted!
Me too! In fact, I just ate a mint one before sitting here to read comments.
You can never go wrong with Oreo! You get to work with the absolute bestest brands!
Thank you! I try really hard. I apply for brands I use anyway or want to use, and that make me happy.
I’m not able to volunteer on weekdays for my kids’ school, but one of the things I love doing is volunteering for the gardening club! I’ve met some very nice parents this way and it was fun working alongside my kids in their school garden. I think the key thing is to do something you enjoy and volunteer for it.
That’s so awesome. Cassidy does that. I get itchy about volunteering in the school, but give me a good garden club or field trip any day!
I’m the worst… I haven’t made a new friend at the kids’ schools yet. 🙁
This may come as a shocker (chuckle) but I’m such an introvert. I do enjoy helping at my babies’ school,I use to practically live at the kids’ school in IL, and well I homeschooled last year, this year I’m going to make an effort to create new bonds and help out more. School has been in session for about a month and I haven’t had a volunteer gig just yet.. but I have signed up.
Cookies help, I should bring cookies, you can never go wrong with cookies…
XOXO
Nah, you’re not the worst. It took me a full year and I’m still learning it. I think writing about it helped a lot.
I think cookies are really the answer. Do what you know, right?
Love your suggestions for connecting with friends! But, why would you want a thin OREO? Double stuffed all the way!
ha! You crack me up. They’re different for sure. But the cookie part is also thin so the ratio really works!
One of the things I miss most about my gluten free diet is the oreos! Cheesecake crust, dirty dessert, oreos and milk! Gluten free is becoming more mainstream can’t wait for oreo cookies to jump on board. I miss them!
Oh bummer! They are dairy free so they have that going for them.
I’m sure gluten-free is coming!
You’ve got some good school/parent friends there! I’d keep them! I would also come to any party where someone was serving me Oreo’s!
I wish you could come to our parties then! Definitely OREOs.
I just discovered what’s app! Never thought about doing a group with parents! Such a great idea.
My husband does it with his brothers.. to play Magic: The Gathering! The pinnacle of cool nerdiness.
I’m always torn between eating an oreo like a cookie as intended or by breaking it down. So I just alternate and feel equally fulfilled/saddened.
I guess be grateful for all those fulfilled times! They’re worth it.
Honestly, we are a double stuff family. These sound good, but it’s all about the frosting, isn’t it?
ha, definitely for many! I have a few cookie only lovers too. I really love it all.
These are wonderful ideas. My boys just switched schools and I’m struggling to find my place.
Ah, I wish you luck with that! It can be tough and then when it all works out, it’s the best feeling.
As much as I love my friends, I will NOT share my Oreos! Lol! Especially the mint ones! 😉
Now you’re making me laugh!
I love me some Oreos. They go great with friends and milk.
Right? Perfect trio!
I think I would like these better. I am not a big fan of the cream in oreos but the more cookie the better
I think you’re the first person to say that! Everyone loves the cream! These have a surprisingly great balance.
Great tips for reconnecting with friends, and love your photos!
Thank you!! These were very fun photos to take.
I love your ideas. I need to have more regular hangouts with my friends. I tried those Oreo Thins too and they were sooo good!
I’ve been trying to be better about friend time. Sometimes it’s so hard with having young kids, but it’s getting better now!
Yum, Oreos are awesome. I can’t wait to find these new Oreo thins in the store!
They’re really good! I hope you enjoy them.
A Coffee Date is more ideal. Its quick and parents can grab it after the morning school drop off. I love Oreos .. since its thin.. is the cream less or the same? I’ve never had mind Oreos before
It’s a good question. It’s less cookie and less cream, but the ratios are about equal. It somehow works!
Girl time is sooo important, even if its just a quick coffee date!
Exactly! I have been doing that a lot lately and it’s vital.
I’ve seen these in the store and I’m curious to try them. Would love to have this for a girls get together.
I was so curious too. They’re really great. They didn’t last very long here!
We have a pack of the regulars in the house. I do want to try the thins!
Yum. I love all kinds of OREOs in my house!
I’ve seen the Oreo Thins but we are such Oreo junkies that we always go for the double stuffed, but who wouldn’t want to share an Oreo with you? I know I would and I’m sure Madison would love to share it with Des and Scarlet too.
Sometimes the mood is right for Double Stuffed, and sometimes for thin! I would love to share a package with you two.
I choked when I saw the photo of you both with Oreos in your mouth. I think these Thin Oreos will be great for recipes.
It was a photo moment for sure!!
Love these idea for families in the same grade. Our school publishes a directory, but since families are spread over a wide area it’s hard to connect sometimes. The moms in L’s class do a Mom’s Night Out once a month, but T’s school is where we’re really going to be for a long time. I’ll definitely be using these tips to connect more with those kids’ parents!