by Laura Falin posted in Life

Our school PTA puts on an annual Mom-Son Sports Night every spring.
Frankly, I kinda wish they'd change it because it seems stereotypey to me, but I'm keeping my mouth shut because if I complain, I'll end up in charge of it next year and no one wants that. Least of all me.
So every spring they rent out the local rec center, and there's dodgeball, and inflatable obstacle courses where the boys can challenge their moms (note: I almost always win, thank you), and a goofy photo booth, and snacks and stuff.

And one year -- only one year -- there was swimming.
So we went, and we brought our suits and towels because my boys aren't going to pass up a chance to go swimming in Colorado when it's freezing out. We played dodgeball, and took the pictures...and then decided to go swimming. They hit the boys' locker room and I headed for the women's room to change. I should have known, when I saw I was the only one in the locker room. I should have been ready. But I got my suit on, grabbed my towel, and headed out to the pool, where I discovered...I was one of three moms who wore their suit. ALL the other moms were sitting in the bleachers, fully dressed with lovely hair and makeup in place, chatting while their boys swam. And staring at me.

Okay, maybe they weren't staring at me. They seemed like nice people, and I'm sure they were just chatting, but it felt like the eyes of the entire room were on me...like I was the nerdy kid in an awkward teen comedy...