Ok, so I am sure all of you are wondering what in the world is she talking about? What is Sigma Alpha Eta Mu and why am I talking about sororities when I am a long way from college? Well, it seems that I have stumbled upon a perhaps little known fact that being a Stay at Home Mom (or SAHM) is an elite club that you have to petition to join. Just the fact that you do it does not get you in automatically. You must be invited to join this club by other mothers if you are deemed worthy.
Almost every day, I take Joe and Thomas to a park nearby and of course there are hordes of other little kids and their moms there as well. Occasionally, a kid will play near Joe and another mother and I have reason to speak. It is always a brief exchange, no matter what is said on my part to try to initiate conversation, and then she goes back to her playgroup buddies. Talk about circling the wagons. Sometimes I feel like I am back in college, or worse high school. I find myself wondering if maybe I shouldn't be coming to the park in running shorts and a sweaty tank top as I watch these moms in their designer clothes, seemingly oblivious to the blazing heat. And of course, huge designer sunglasses. I actually own a pair of fantastic Ralph Lauren sunglasses (birthday gift courtesy of Ken) but I usually leave them in the car. Didn't I learn anything during sorority rush at Maryland? No sweaty clothes to the park even if you walked 1.5 miles to get there! Maybe I should bring a change of clothes? I must also mention that the offspring of these sorority girls are also dressed in the most inappropriate clothing for the park. Ralph Lauren polos, seersucker outfits and white frilly dresses do not seem like play clothes to me, but then again, who can say?
Far be it for me to be overly critical, I will say that on the rare occasion that the sorority girls do speak to me they were very polite and nice. This happened once after I ran into a woman I met via Helen, my MIL, and she introduced me to some of the other women. Of course after the hello, it was back to the same old routine. On a positive note, I went to the Parent's Council coffee meeting today and met two really nice women. I actually had a pleasant adult conversation with someone other than Ken or my family! They even invited me to join their online forum and playgroup! I just may receive a bid card for this sorority yet! I'll keep you posted.
