Hey, I write everything down. At the beginning of the year I print out the 12 months and write everything coming up in it. It helps me out A LOT and helps me remember.

You're in transition. It'll get easier. Don't be so hard on yourself, or worry about other's view or opinion of your 'timeliness' or anything else.

Keep focused on the positive - happy, healthy kid . . .

I know when I struggle with something I am capable of doing or remembering I usually find something blocking me, some psychological reason standing in my way. So I'll throw out a couple of possibilities and you can throw them out or ignore them (or me) if you'd like.

Having recently quit a pretty intense job, are you concerned about getting sucked into something else and thus are holding back?

Is there anything about any of the people you have to deal with there that makes you want to avoid them?

Maybe something to do with Bear growing up?

Frankly, this is how I figure it out. I think up possible "issues" until one of them makes my stomach cringe and I go, "OOOOooooohhhhh, that makes sense" and then I can figure out what I want to do about it.

I certainly don't know you that well, but you seem pretty darn responsible and not one to "screw things up." This is an aberration, not a personality characteristic. You'll figure it out.

My biggest fear about parenthood used to be not getting enough sleep. But as time goes on and I have friends and family with kids who are school-age, I find I have some new biggest fears about parenthood. The general gist of which is that I am SURE I would not fit in with the other moms of the theoretical classmates of my theoretical child. My own grammar school experience was pretty bad, socially, although I got a great education. I just don't know it I've gotten any better at schoolyard politics as an adult than I was as a child. That is probably one reason homeschooling appeals to me, although I admit that alone is a pretty poor reason for homeschooling.

I am hoping that in the next few years I will have to deal with all of the above, because it will mean I will have successfully achieved mommydom. But what I am observing is that there is more to school than wether the kid is getting good grades and getting along well with peers, in terms of stressors for parents. There is the issue of the parents being comfortable with the school and being able to work well with teachers and other parents.

I can theoretically relate to being a fish out of water at Bear's school. But, I am certain that a) you are not the only parent who feels the way you do and b) you are still shifting gears. Once you find your stride, I suspect you will end up applying your excellent project management skills to the task of being present and involved in Bear's education. And it will get much easier.

I recently read a good article about just this in a magazine a couple of weeks ago. About working moms who find themselves suddenly stay-at-home moms, and trying to adjust to the new rhythm of life and new parenting style. If I find the article I will save it for you.