Skip Like a Man

by

Walking to School

Working from home certainly has its advantages — a 30-second commute, showering every other day, afternoon naps, etc. But the one benefit I never expected was being able to walk my daughter and niece to and from school every day.

We only live a few blocks from their school, so unless it’s pouring down rain or we’re in the midst of yet another polar vortex, walking just makes sense. But of course you can’t just send a couple first graders off to fend for themselves (at least that’s what my wife tells me). So yours truly gets to play chaperone.

I should point out that during our daily walk there is very little actual walking. I don’t know how much time you’ve spent around first graders, but a nice leisurely stroll isn’t in their nature. They prefer to skip, run, hop — basically anything but walk. It’s exhausting just watching them.

Every day it’s pretty much the same story: As soon as we step out the front door, both girls — each as cute as a button in their Catholic school uniform — grab my hands and start dragging me down the block. Meanwhile I’m still waiting for that first cup of coffee to kick in.

“Let’s skip, Uncle Val!” says my niece.

“Yeah!” says my daughter. “And sing ‘We’re Off to See the Wizard’ again!”

That part is my doing, actually. I don’t know what it is, but there’s just something about the act of skipping that puts me right smack on the Yellow Brick Road. (Cut me some slack—I grew up with two sisters.) Of course, once you do something that your kids enjoy — i.e., skipping down the street to a song from a musical — you better get used to doing it over, and over…and over again.

Each time we come to a street crossing, “The Rule”, according to the girls, is that I have to sprint across the street and pull them along with me. They love this. It always gets them giggling and screaming way too loud for 8 o’clock in the morning.

All the way to school there’s more running and jumping and giggling and skipping. The skipping in particular always draws befuddled looks from the other parents driving by. I mean, you’d think they’d never seen a grown man skipping down the street before.

Finally we arrive at school, and I give each of them a kiss and a hug as they make their way into the building. Then I make the return journey back to my house, which, now that I am sans kids, is much more leisurely and far less conspicuous. Six and a half hours later I return for the pick-up, and we get to repeat the entire process, only this time in reverse. It’s basically the only exercise I get all day.

Just think: If I hadn’t quit my full-time job and set out on my own, I never would have been able to work in my underwear. And, oh yeah, I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to walk my girls to school and back every day and experience all the wonderful silliness that goes along with it. Sure, my masculinity has probably taken a hit, with all the public skipping and everything. But that’s OK. The girls think I’m funny, and that’s all that really matters.

Let’s just see how funny they think it is when they’re 13 and I’m still right there, skipping alongside.~

_____

Copyright © 2014 Valentine J. Brkich

16 Responses to "Skip Like a Man"
  1. This is priceless! I can see you singing and skipping. It’s fantastic that you get to experience this and the girls get fun and amazing memories of daddy/uncle Val! Love it, love it, love it!

    • Thanks, Melina! I do feel lucky. And, honestly, skipping is fun! I just hope I don’t injure myself. ; )

  2. Great read and I totally get it!! – “…when they’re 13 and I’m still right there skipping, alongside.” I’ve skipped in your shoes- still there actually; grandchildren grant “do overs.” ♡

  3. im that parent that drives by you each morning with a dog on her lap watching you and the girls skip :). The simple things in life mean the most

  4. Truly enjoyed this one, Val. And it does change. Case in point, if I perform ANY motion that even reMOTEly resembles moving to music (a.k.a. “dancing”) while in public or even in the comfort of my own car, my two daughters threaten to pursue emancipation. My advice? Skip as much as you can and hold onto those little hands!

  5. Yes, keep the skipping up, especially when they’re 13. LOL Great article, Val! And, hey, A’s in first grade….really? Wow!

  6. Yes! I love this post….and would love to share it on iSkip.com if that is OK w/ you!? 🙂 I’d also love to send you and the girls some fun skipping goodies.

    • Absolutely! That would be great. And please email me at val(at)valthewriter.com and I’ll give you my address. Thanks!!