It all began when I realized I was about to embark on my second round of "Middle School," as a parent. While I survived my son's middle school years, I wasn't sure I could do it again. Yet, being the mother of a thirteen year old daughter left me no choice. The following is taken from my journal entitled, "The Parent Chronicles." This time around, I decided I could take these middle school years and discuss The ins, the outs and the uglies!

Abducted.

Not a thought you want but when I looked at the time on Tuesday and realized my 12yr. Old Middle School student never made it home from the bus stop- I screamed and cried just "knowing" she was abducted! Of course the neighbor's daughter didn't go to school on Tues. and looked at me perplexed as I raced across the street screaming for Chuck to get the car. It was getting dark, panic had set in- I had called her phone repeatedly after texting her. She had left a weird text at 4:06 in response to me asking her a question about The Band Move Ups. She said "love you-you don't have to pick me up.Ttyl." A strange text for someone who rides the bus each day. After Chuck read it-he too thought an "Abductor, rapist or murderer" could've written it.After calling everyone I could and having a stress induced Asthma Attack, we arrived at her Middle School. So scared-I didn't notice the 200 sets of headlights pointed at me. Shaking, I ran towards the Principal told him. that "my daughter never came home from school today and she rides the bus." He too, showed looks of concern and said he would be right back.He disappeared briefly, Only to return less than a minute later."Is your daughter in the band?" Yes, I announced with a glimmer of hope. A young girl announced "she is in the band room with the others."Suddenly- The shining lights shone on my realization that every parent "got the memo" and was there to pick up their student. Mary's memo, nor details made it home. We met Mary outside, happy to see her yet expecting a humble and apology-filled explanation from the twelve yr old ready to conquer the world without "too many details." The look on her face followed by "I told you you didn't have to pick me up" statement was enough to make us lose our minds. I turned to Chuck who reminded her that the text she sent sounded like it came from an "Abductor." "Amazing!!!"I thought- "Her "Abduction" just became our fault." Ohhhh-The Joys of Middle School.