Science Fair Distress

Two words that make me shudder when I hear them: science fair 

I try to keep the shuddering to myself. I try my best to hide the dread that undoubtedly shows on my face from my ecstatic child proclaiming the "exciting" news. 

Why, you ask? Because there is no escaping it. The work. The stress. For ME! The PARENT! I am DONE with elementary school. Passed. I may not have received straight A's, but I passed and I never planned on returning.  

Yes, I will admit it, I don't like to help my kids with their homework if it's more than just getting them through a difficult math problem or helping them pronounce a word. I am just not one of "those" parents who get all giddy about a big project. For example, I was at BMC West a couple days before this dreaded Science Fair, and I ran into a mom of another student. I don't know her that well, but she knew my child was in the 4th grade, and assumed I must be there to acquire items for the science fair. She ran over to me as soon as she saw me, smiling from ear to ear, with that very "giddy" look on her face that said, "I know why you're here!"

I was confused.

I think the look on my face gave it away because she then asked, "Are you here to get stuff for the Science Fair?" (The smile on her face only slighty faded.)

It still took me a second. "...Oh! Uh, no. I am here to get doors for the kid's bedrooms." (Of course, this lady didn't need doors for her kid's bedrooms, so why else would she be at BMC West shopping if not for science fair supplies? duh!)

Still two days away, the science fair was far from being top-most on my mind.

But, nevertheless, it was there in my mind, lurking around every corner of it, in fact. The tension was steadily building with every, "Mom, can we work on my science project?" and "Mom, shouldn't we be starting my science project?"

Well, when it comes right down to it, I love my daughter. So much, that I didn't allow my disdain for the science project keep me from making sure she did a great job! And, much of it I am proud to say, by herself!

My budding scientist:

To sum it up, her project basically involved combining two liquids to form a solid that could be formed into a ball that bounced. Hence, the "Bouncy Ball". She ended up making several of these, and gave many away.

I have to admit, I was quite intrigued as I roamed around the gym and peeked at some of the other projects.

It was quite obvious which students had a lot of help from their parents.  

And, those whose parents helped them just a little. (And, when I say "little", I mean "not at all".)

I have to say that I actually admire this one above. This student has parents that have let go of their pride and actually want their child to learn something. I hope he got an A+!

I think Marianne's fit somewhere in between the two.

I may hate science fairs...

...but I've still got my pride!