Me and the PTA

I went to my first (and maybe last) PTA meeting today. Yes. I know. For most of the people who know me, this will come as a complete shock. You see, I’m just not a “big group” kind of person. I tend to misbehave just a little bit, doing slightly inappropriate things that just reinforces the fact I am better suited for activities where “appropriate behavior” is not required.


Anyway, I got a little lost and ended up in back of the building at the employee entrance to the club the meeting was being held in. I was already late, so I walked in, thinking I could explain and they would let me in. As expected, security guard stopped me. Being the polite Japanese man he was, he listened as I explained I was late, new to Tokyo (just how long am I going to be able to get away with that?) and really had to get to the meeting. He said he understood and walked back to his desk (I'm thinking he is going to sign me in), but no, he brings back a map for me to get to the front of the building. Now I am late, it is hot outside and I am having a hot flash, making the sweat on my neck drip down my shirt. But Japanese people have rules and you can’t expect them to break them because that would certainly upset the harmony that is created by having rules.

So of course, I have to go outside (after politely thanking the man who just as easily COULD HAVE LET ME IN THE EMPLOYEE ENTRANCE JUST THIS ONCE), up a really steep hill and around the corner, just to arrive in the building a sweaty, stinking mess. I wonder if that's why no one would talk to me. That’s not really true. Besides, I went to the bathroom before the meeting and tried to wash up and make myself look “parent-like”.

Walking into the room, I immediately had a sense of panic as everyone seemed to be engaged in energetic conversation. Since I am not one to confidently insert myself into a conversation, I made my way over to the table with the beverages and spotted a woman who had a nametag on with 11 on it, meaning her child was in the same grade as Jed. “Hi” I said nervously. “It seems we both have kids in 11th grade”. We started talking and immediately there was this “I’m not good at this either” connection, which was a huge relief.

She was impressed that I was doing all of this for the first time. Most people have years of this and by the time their kids are in 11th grade, they are experts. Since Jed has been living with us for about 3 weeks, I am far from one, still just trying to figure out my place in this whole “stepparent” thing. Seriously, what exactly do you do with a 17 year old, besides nagging him to clean up his dishes and asking him how school was?

I spoke with some other people, compared notes with some of Jed’s friend’s mothers, listened to speeches about volunteering and donating money and was on my way. Am I PTA material? I’m not so sure yet……there’s a coffee next week, perhaps I go and investigate more…