#GoingBack Archives - Listen to Lena

We all have our back to school stories… good and bad. And, if you were brave enough to share… you may be a winner in Staples’ First Day of School Contest! From over 600 entries, Staples has crowned three ‘First Day of School’ story champions. The competition was even stiffer than last year and entries ranged from side-splitting to heart-wrenching with plenty in between.

It was truly a difficult task to choose just three winners; while judging the contest, I found myself laughing, cringing, and even getting emotional over the various entries. (Of course, cringe-worthy stories are the BEST stories, aren’t they?) Kudos to everyone who took the time to write about missed school buses, intimidating older students, strange and new situations, and of course, bathroom blunders.

Pop on over to the Staples Blog to view the top entries, and congratulations to all of the winners who will be taking home a Canon T3i Prize pack! And, if you didn’t have a chance to share your story (and are just dying to), email it to facebook@staples.ca and it could be featured in an upcoming blog post!

I’ll never forget my little guy’s first day of school… because it happened just last year. I somberly dressed him in his adorable school uniform, packed his favourite snack and secured him in our car. And as we drove, I promised myself I wouldn’t cry.

“You okay back there?” I asked.
“Where are we going, Mommy?” Ryder asked.
“We’re going to school.”

I suppose I could have said “We’re going to Tibet” or “We’re going to protest whale poachers” – because he had no frame of reference for what “school” was. I swallowed the lump in my throat and kept driving.

As we pulled up to the school’s Kiss ‘N Ride zone, his new teacher opened the car door and welcomed Ryder. And as she took his hand to help him out of the car, he darted a furtive glance at me.

“Mommy!” he called, just as the door slammed shut. I waved at him quickly and then stoically drove away, knowing that the separation anxiety would overwhelm him, but staying would only make it worse.

As soon as I turned the corner, the tears started flowing. I couldn’t believe that we had come to this day! My little baby with the sweet mermaid eyes. My little boy with the sensitive heart. He was growing up much, much too quickly.

I spent the entire afternoon pacing back and forth, watching the clock until it was time to pick him up. And as I pulled into the school shortly after 3:30pm, I saw him. A little boy with a tear-streaked face, using the back of his hand to wipe his nose. Red-rimmed eyes and a quivering bottom lip, clutching onto his new teacher’s hand with all his might. And as I drew closer and we made eye contact, I read his mind as clearly as if there was a thought bubble over his head. And it read:

“B*tch! Oh no you didn’t!”

Let’s just say that the ride home included a few hurled accusations about child abandonment. I was already looking forward to the second day of school. Right.

Do you remember your first day? Whether it was side-splitting or tear-jerking, Staples Canada wants to know!

Enter Staples Canada’s #GoingBack contest. THREE (3) entrants will each win a Canon EOS Rebel T3 Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm IS Lens Kit (value $600 CAD) awarded to Best Video Entry, Best Written Entry and Best Picture Entry. The contest will be judged by a panel of popular Canadian parenting bloggers: Katie Allen of Little Miss Kate, Tenille Lafontaine of Feisty, Frugal and Fabulous, Meri Temudo of lil sugar and… Moi!

There are 3 ways to enter:

1. Create a video response to the YouTube commercial by clicking on the ‘Comments’ section and selecting “Create a Video Response”.
2. Submit a photo through the Staples Canada Facebook contest app.
3. Submit a written story through the Staples Canada Facebook contest app.

The contest closes on September 9th, and then we’ll be going through the responses to select the lucky winners – it could be you! Good luck everyone!

Staples “First Day of School” Winners Announced!

#GoingBack: Share Your Story & Win with Staples!