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I tried I tried.

It's ok J... I'm still trying to figure out if the coloring is a turkey with superpowers or a bird being struck by lightening.

Aww. This sort of stuff just sucks for everyone, but there will be way more chances to do this sort of stuff - and hey, maybe they can stop being LOSERS and start scheduling stuff at night.

Stupid schools. It's all their fault, really.

(But seriously, *hugs* Try not to beat yourselves up over it...)

OH, that sucks, man. I feel for you. I didn't go to a stupid awards ceremony this week at my daughter's school and most of the other parents made it. She handled it, but I'm pretty sure she'll be scarred for life and we'll be discussing it over therapy;)

Between teacher's conferences and 3 days off for Thanksgiving, I just don't understand why schools think parents can take off work to go in the middle of the day?!

In the grand scheme of things, only one of you will remember this. And it won't be him. More than likely, but I make no promises. Nothing is worse than feeling like a lackluster parent though.

Ahhhh man, dude. That really, really sucks. Somebody said something to me about this kind of thing once that really rang true to me. "He will almost certainly forget about it before you will". Its totally true dude. How many things like that do you remember happening when you were his age? I'm SURE there were more than you have recollection of. It will pass man. I feel your pain.

Like getting punched in the gut. Repeatedly. I'm feeling the pain here too.

Ok, so we all do this. I have 6 kids and my oldest STILL remembers almost each time I missed a stupid event at school. I was a single parent at the time and just couldn't afford to take off. So now the other kids are used to it and never tell me when they are having special stuff at school anymore. But srsly, your story touched my heart so now I feel guilty so I think i will surprise them when they do all their Christmas fun stuff. LOL If, I remember! LOL

Awww... he won't remember this. Really. Just make it to every high school event he ever has, and you'll be the best dad ever (as if you already weren't in the Top 10).

ARGH! I would have gone!!!!!! You suck! Poor fury!! Aaaw! I'm family too right?!

DOOOOOD Sis would have totally picked up the slack. Way to go Dad.

And I dont agree with others. FURY WILL REMEMBER. He's storing this event up for when he really needs it. Get prepared for the card to be PULLED. I hope he makes it good. Like $300 LEGO set good.

;-) You know I kid. I've missed many school events because of this. It happens.

:(

Awww, that's heart breaking. Don't beat yourself up though. I am full time at home and have missed many school events because of other obligations. There is a bright side to Mr. Weasel being out of work, this was the first time (in 5 kids) that he was able to go to the Thanksgiving Feast at school.

OMG! i hear you and I don't even work! The teacher told me at the conference, "You never sign the thursday folders or her daily agenda" I was like, "Whhha?" and my daughter looked at me and said, "You're not that kind of mom." OH MY GOD. what kind of mom am I?
Oh yeah, I'm the one that has been using the excuse that I need to be fingerprinted to go on school field trips and every time I go in 'they are closed. darn it!"
Ugh!!

At least you remembered lunch!?

Dude, I totally feel you. I've been put in that damn situation more times than I would like to count. Thankfully, right now, my hubby and I work opposite schedules, so usually one of us can go...but not always. Stupid school system...our PTA meetings are even held in the morning! Not that I would go, I'm just sayin'......

Oh man, the middle of the day stuff is KILLING me. I've got 3 in school now & I work on the other side of town. Sometimes all of them need a parent at the same time so I classroom hop. It drives me mental. Sorry honey, no family vacation for us, I used all my vacation days visiting your classroom. Argh. (:

Oh, BD. That's just heart-wrenching.

But maybe you should be more concerned that he thinks Thanksgiving Turkey Hero-Man is on the juice?

Sometimes being a working parent really sucks. I can totally sympathize.

Since I don't have a kid, I can only go off of my experience as a latch key kid with two working parents. Some times it is absolutely alright for the parents not to go. Like when they will come and embarrass you at your (high school) event.

Don't worry. Fury still thinks you rock.

That sucks!!!
I know the feeling... sometimes I wish I could just turn off from everything just to spend time with the kiddo...
Most of the time I feel like I am working to much and spending to little time doing the things that are really important... :(
some day... some day!!!

That really sucks, and I know how you feel. I think all us parents do.

But he won't remember this, he will only remember the times you did show up, and that it was awesome.

Make the best of the time you get, right?

Or something like that...

Oh Jim, that sucks.

Not everyone has a parent who can attend and luckily the fabulous Fury not only knows and accepts that, he takes it in stride.

Besides, y'all more than make up for it the rest of the time. Not all parents are as stupendous as y'all and he's much better well adjusted than some kids I know whose parents are at everything, always!

So there. Blah.
;-)

Ohhhh, that's so sad. If it makes you feel better, I went to my daughter's T-day feast today and it was super lame and PLENTY of parents were not there. And those kids were better off because they got to eat all the crap they wanted. No permanent damage done. Promise.

My guts just seized up for you.

Parenting sucks sometimes. There is no way around it.

Gah.

Sorry that had to happen, man. I can definitely relate. We've been lucky in that Momma's been able to make many of the school related events so far, but I hate that I have to always be the one that say, no "I can't come because Daddy has to go to work today."

Hang in there.

Ai-ya.

I'm sorry BD.

Don't beat your self up about this. I'm sure there will plenty of opportunities to make up for this, and I know you will.

My friend.. I am so sorry.. I totally see why this hurts so much.. but if I know you and dwife... you will do something majestic to make up for it..

HUGS..

Aw, man. I'm sick for you.

Wait, that might be the eggnog turning on me.

Chin up, buddy. It gets worse.

Busydad, I love you and all... but... I cried when I read Fury's note... *sniff

CTRL + ALT + DEL

Now Imawhoopyoass.

Kidding, I still love you. :P

Don't get too down on yourself. I know how busy parents are. When I was teaching, most students' parents couldn't make it to their awards ceremony when they were getting the award because both parents worked. Now, just don't miss Open House or Parent Teacher Conferences! Those are unforgivable (at least by teaching standards :P)!

Parental guilt is a biotch!

I told you Mei would've gone. Go Auntie!

As a single working parent, I feel your pain. I'm so sorry you couldn't be there. And my heart has broken as well for the things I've missed. But you know what? You've got butt-loads of videos on here that show you as the involved, loving father that you are.
Oh, and don't bother writing the national PTA about the fact that their antiquated ideas are totally offensive to working parents. They blew me off completely.

Schools just don't get this at all, they just use guilt to get a decent attendance, with little care to the danger or the harm non-attendance can do to the kids. And why don't they map out their itinerary way in advance say every 12 months with 6 month updates, so you have at least half-a-year to organise your life to it. At least then their no-show sneers might be justified a little.

U are a really good dad. And he certainly knows that too.

Oh man that's a rough one! Nothing like a little kiddie guilt trip!

Man, I hate when this happens. Even though we are fortunate enough that my wife gets to stay home, I still miss everything, and it kills me.

Fury may be upset this afternoon, but will soon forget that you missed this one event, and will remember all the ones you were there for!

Aw, don't sweat it BD. I'll bet Fury forgets all about it quicker than you ever will. WTF would a school schedule that during the day? Well, so the TEACHER isn't inconvenienced... doh! Too bad that 90% of the parents work. Too bad for the kids, that is.

That sucks. Happy Turkey Day to you and yours!

Welcome to Working Parent Guilt. We have t-shirts.

And don't put too much thought into him not giving you that "invitation" thingie, because half the time they simply don't remember to give you stuff. My daughter's class had an entire fundraiser I missed because she never took the paperwork out of her backpack (and she's 11, by the way).

My solution to not being able to make every middle-of-the-day event was to promise to go on as many field trips as I could. Those are usually scheduled far in advance so you can plan to take the day off, and the kidlet remembers those all-day events much more than an hour-long event at school.

Oh man, I got a little teary eyed there in the end. It really does suck when you have to miss these things - it means so much to the kids. don't you worry, there will be plenty more chances to make it up to him. PLENTY more.

Some of these choices are THE worst. And yes, they have to have that kind of thing in the middle of the day sometimes. It sucks. Sometimes a kind parent will take pics for you, especially of your child at the event, and then you can share them with him later. That can help.

been there. If a teacher ever tries to lay on the guilt, ask them if they have kids, if they go to a different school, and then how do they manage making their own kid's events. Usually shuts them right up.

I personally say "Taking the time off would endanger patient population. If you had let me know a couple of months in advance, I would have requested and received the time off. Is there any way we can manage that next time? Oh, you can't be that organized? Well then." That ALWAYS shuts them up.

Make yourself into a Mac and you won't have to worry about that stuff. It just always works.

Tech jokes kill me.

I don't have the school problem just yt, she doesn't start until next year. Although I've managed to forget that she needs a shoe box for a project in nursery every day for the last week ...... and now I have to buy frigging new shoes cause apparently I'm a crap mum for not hoarding old shoe boxes. Still. Plus I've lost count of the amount of times I've been late and she's been the last one left in nursery, which has to be bad.

Doesn't seem to bother her though and I figure as long as I'm there for her graduation and her wedding it'll be OK. Her old fart of a mum would probably just embarrass her.

that totally sucks man. don't beat yourself up too much about it, we've all been there and some of our parents were too.
we've gone a slightly different route, two working parents, no childcare. it means that we tag team parent and stuff often gets missed in the shuffle. i once had to beg a indergarten teacher to help us out by not punishing the child for the parent's neglect.

I so feel you. Try keeping up when it's two households with all the paretns working. Last year was the worst and I think I broke Bart's heart over and over by not being able to be there. I'm trying to make up for it this year, a little anyway. Hang in there.

That made me tear up, I know what it is like to be in that position. I used to work 60hrs a week and hubby 60-65 also. We missed all those moments with the kids. I left my job in Sept and I feel like for the first time that I am a being the parent I need to be.

I am sending you a great big hug, even though it is after the fact you can still use it. (((HUG)))