Girl Scouts
We all went to my daughter’s “Girl Scout Bridging Ceremony” last night, but of all the people there, there were only 4 males (including my son and I).
We got there are 6:00pm but the actual Bridging Ceremony would begin until 8:00pm. I feel pretty comfortable around people anymore but after 15 minutes, my son and I decided to leave the group and walk around a pond that was close by. To stay with the Girl Scout group felt like we were intruding.
As we were walking around the nearby pond, we could hear the laughing floating across the pond along with the songs they were singing. I’m glad my daughter was having a great time!
After our walk, my son and I played around a bit, but started to get bored. That’s when I remembered my time saving book that I left in the car for such situations. I was able to finish a entire chapter before the ceremony stated while my son played games on my blackberry.
Once the ceremony started, other males started to arrive for the celebration too. I enjoyed the event, watching my daughter laugh, giggle, jump around and run around with her friends. That said I have to admit I enjoyed finishing that chapter in my most recent book too. It made the wait that much more enjoyable, plus I was out of sight of the pre-ceremony activities.
All in all, the event was a good one, and my daughter seemed pretty happy!
Cheers,
MR
I can relate to this experience. Even our scout troop was mostly run by women. As a stay at home Dad it can be awkward arranging social play dates for the kids with Moms. Some people just are not comfortable with it, and I’m sure it has cost my children social opportunities. The scout troop was especially awkward.
I can imagine, keep knocking at those doors though, eventually some will open 🙂
I think once your blog gets bigger, you can just explain that you are a web guru and make your own hours.
You should do an article on your experiences in that awkwardness, not many people ever see or think of that side of the coin!
We never did Boy or Girl Scouts, but many of my friends did. It sounds like a great experience for the kiddos.
I hate when I feel ‘out of place’, although I am more comfortable with it now if that makes any sense. I used to feel like I had to socialize and blend in. Now I don’t care.
Me too! In the past, I would have been uneasy and would have tried to look like I should have been there, but now I just relaxed and blocked any awkwardness out.
Surprisingly, my son didn’t seem uneasy at all (although he was bored though).
Awww, I remember I had to miss my Girl Scout bridging ceremony because my parents were taking me out of town that weekend; they had to go to some boring conference or something.
I also recall my troupe’s events were just about 100% attended by moms.
But I would try to not feel like you’re intruding … I know it can be awkward, but to the girls there, you’re a celebrity. “Look, it’s a Dad sighting!” Anything new or novel, like the appearance of a dad, draws attention, but people are happy you’re there.
Yeah, I didn’t really get any “What are you going here” looks, but at the same token, I didn’t want to stand out, so I kept in the shadows (kind of).
It was a good experience overall.
For me boys and girls are same. Really a great article.
I hope you will continue writing such a masterpiece.
Thank You!
Yes, both are a bit awkward and uneventful for adults, but for kids it’s great!
Although it was sometime ago, I remember those days. My daughter was in Girl Scouts and made it through to the Gold Award. Her experience with scouting was worth everything. Her Mariner troop was more evenly divided with the attending parents. Maybe it reflects more on a generation. Now more people are working and cannot get away. I don’t know.
That could well be the case. I thought that it’s primarily a female groups, so perhaps some of the men felt like they would be intruding. That said, I’m sure I’ll go next year. I think my daughter liked that I was there.