Planner
In an effort to feel more grown-up, children often emulate the actions of those older than them. This is where images like the “4 year old boy pretending to shave with his father” come from. It’s also why this comedy goldmine from childhood exists: my 3rd grade day-planner.
As a kid, I fell firmly into the “child who wants to pretend he’s older” category. I remember, in 1st grade, wishing I had “homework” like the older kids (this longing stopped the moment I got actual homework, but I digress) and so did fake assignments that I’d occasionally turn in to my confused teacher.
My father and sister both used planners, and so I figured that in order to enter the “grown-up world,” I’d have to keep my day-to-day activities organized and in writing.
Because, as a 3rd grader, I obviously had plenty to organize.
AND WITH A WEEK THIS BUSY, HOW ELSE WOULD I KEEP IT ALL STRAIGHT BUT WITH A PLANNER? (As a side note, I really hope I made it to cruch church that week).
As we all know, the financial transactions of an eight year old are very confusing, so I’m glad I was keeping track (I’m also glad I made sure to mark “cash” for these…otherwise, I’d have thought I’d written a check or used that credit card I didn’t have). Two cans of juice and a rental of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Tournament Fighters…big spender.
Probably my favorite page in the planner. If I hadn’t written this stuff down, I’d have gotten home from school and not remembered to A) change into shorts and B) play. I’d have sat slumped in a chair all afternoon—in long pants, of course—staring at the wall, actively not having fun. I mean, how’s a kid supposed to remember to play without a written reminder?
As you can see from the dates, I made at least TWO attempts to use this thing—in ‘94 and ‘95—before realizing the obvious: elementary school kids aren’t in dire need of a planner.
