The crisp fall air has arrived and in high schools around the country students are beginning to wear coats to school for chilly mornings. Some will enter the hallway proud as peacocks displaying personal and school pride by donning a Letterman jacket adorned with personal awards earned for athletics or even academic activities. While teenagers are notorious for not displaying any kind of excitement in front of their parents, I have observed my own children’s sheer exuberance — even in front of me — the first time they flew out the door with their jacket.
It occurred to me that public recognition of accomplishments is not to be underrated. My kids have generously offered their Letterman jackets to my husband and me post high school graduation so that we can continue to wear school colors with pride. However, it occurred to me that there is a better option, one that represents an all new product opportunity, a Lettermom jacket.
This jacket would be like no other ever seen. It would be a real conversation piece on the sideline of a game or in the grocery store. The first varsity letter could be earned just for entering the realm of motherhood. After all, once you have a child, you know that you will be the starter on the varsity team and rarely come out of the game. You could earn further recognition for activities and accomplishments. Perhaps an oval track patch for driving, a pantry patch for meal preparation and a red cross patch for first aid.
You could be named “first team all-league” for running concessions for an entire sports season or volunteering all year in a classroom. You might even get “league MVP” for extraordinary work as team parent or PTA president. You could earn your “State” patch for exhibiting a cheerful state of mind through four years of high school parenting. Reward for a “State Champion” patch? The possibilities are endless.
A Varsity Lettermom jacket would definitely sell. As a bonus, it is a real fashion statement this season. Taylor Swift sports a Varsity coat in Glamour; how cheeky. It would make a great present and in the very least it would be a great Halloween costume. Moms and dads, you have earned your letter no doubt and would wear one with pride. Please humor us with your own ideas of how parents can earn letters in our comment section.
Carol Lewis Gullstad October 1, 2012
permissionslips1@gmail.com
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Permission Slips
Carol, I have often thought this exact thing! My son is in Sea Cadets (affiliated with the Navy, for kids in middle and high school). He gets ribbons and medals for all kinds of accomplishments and rank advancement. The closest I’ve seen, which I like a lot, are these badges from Best Made Co., for courage, grace, compassion, fortitude and the main one, which says “Be Optimistic.” I’ve sent them to friends struggling with cancer or divorce to let them know I think they deserve some kind of special Medal of Valor!
http://www.bestmadeco.com/collections/frontpage/products/c-c-g-f-badge-set
Jill, I went to the website you suggested, it’s terrific. Readers take note and check it out. I can see using these badges of encouragement to gift to others.