What was I thinking?

[Mimi Q]

I am going to Washington, DC Monday morning on a bus full of eighth graders- it is a 562 mile trip. Sounded like a good idea a few months ago when I decided to go as a chaperone.

 

[LVSWL]

Are you a parent of one of the 8th graders? I think it is still a good idea. Field trips can be incredible, especially to somewhere like DC and with kids at the level that 8th graders are at intellectually. You will have a wonderful time! You are doing a good thing!

 

[Mimi Q]

Yes, my older DD is one of the students going on the trip. I have never been to DC. My sister is going with me, too.

 

[LVSWL]

Now see, that sounds like fun, your daughter will be with some of her friends, you will have your sister with you, and that will make up somewhat for the fact that you will be trying to keep up with a bazillion kids that you don't know in a place you have never been.. just kidding! More than likely, you will be scheduled to see specific things and would not be expected to know your way around. I know I always felt more comfortable in elementary school on field trips when we went places because I was familiar with most of the spots. Middle school was different, more kids, different parents, bigger groups, but they are still KIDS. I hope you have wonderful weather and you and your sister and your daughter have a great time!

 

[minkydog]

I feel your pain, sista. I go with my DD on her choir tours. You've never lived until you've chaperoned middle schoolers

It'll be fine. Take some Motrin with you and good walking shoes

 

[OhMari]

Everyone needs a bus trip once in their lives with teenagers. If there are extra seats, score your own seat, makes laying down easier. This age group is fun, they don't have the h.s. attitude yet, but they are so ready to be out of the Jr. high level.

WDC is awesome. Every monument, museum, building is there courtesy of your tax dollar and their is no entrance fees. I think the Korean War memorial really surprised me, I didn't even know it existed. It is down from Abe Lincoln and on the otherside of the Vietnam Wall. Don't miss it.

Have fun and if you ride the metro, remember when you go down or up on the conveyor steps, the left side is for walking and the right is for riding. Keep your eye's open for senator's and the President. I got to see him land in his helicopter and walk into the White House-ya just never know.

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

You've never lived until you've chaperoned middle schoolers

AMEN! Overnight trips are the worst. Nothing like taping kids in their rooms!

 

[Keli]

Sounded like a good idea a few months ago when I decided to...

This made me LOL. Some of the biggest messes I've gotten into could start with this sentence!

 

[cats mom]

You've never lived until you've chaperoned middle schoolers

It'll be fine. Take some Motrin with you and good walking shoes

That's some good advice.

I've gotten to the point where I take a pre-emptive motrin before I ever step on the bus for a field trip.

In fact I better stock up since I'm signed up to chaperone 1st graders next week. Nowhere as exciting as DC and ours is an outdoor field trip with temps expected to top 100 degrees that day.

Feel better now?

 

[Mimi Q]

Thanks for the advice.

To make matters worse, we don't get home until 10:30 pm Thursday night and younger DD has a dance recital on Friday night and older DD has invited approximately 50 kids to her birthday party on Saturday night. I am just hoping to survive next week.

 

[isyne4u]

I feel your pain! As a teacher I *had* to go on one last year with 7th graders! Thankfully we are only 4 hours outside of dc so we go in one day! I called it my trip from hell!! Our bus broke down not once but twice before we were even out of town and then the driver had no clue where he was going once we got there!!

However, they are suvivable...thank goodness I had the chance to stop for a night cap as soon as all the darling cherubs were picked up!!!

Have fun!!

tara

 

[minnie61650]

I am going to Washington, DC Monday morning on a bus full of eighth graders- it is a 562 mile trip. Sounded like a good idea a few months ago when I decided to go as a chaperone.

You will have a lot of fun.

When our youngest two were in HS I went on the Marching band field trips.
We live in Michigan and took trips in 1996 to Toronto to see Phantom of the Opera, In 1997 we went Chicago and we saw Sunset Boulevard, Back to Toronto in 1998 where we saw the play Chicago.
Then in 1999 when DD was a freshman and DS was a senior both my DH and I chaperoned their Marching Band trip to WDW. I was going but Cathy and Bob decided on their own without me knowing or the other knowing that their Dad should to come too. They each asked him on their own saying it would really be a nice family memory if both Mom and Dad came as chaperons. of course my DH was delighted when he found out that each of them had come to ask him on their own. It was a 24 hour bus ride with just a few stops for food.(We had to sleep on the bus). All the HS kids were great. They had so much fun at Disney!
That is one my fondest moments being together at Disney and seeing them March down Mainstreet.

What great memories you are making!
Have fun!

 

[Mimi Q]

Well, we just got home. The kids were very well behaved. We had a great time. Loved DC. I am soooo tired though.

 

[PaulaSue]

Glad you had a good time! We are going tomm, only 100 miles each way, to the zoo for my youngests b-day/celebration.