Jill's Journal: We’re No. 3! Is that really good news?

For more than two decades now, I’ve been proud to call Brandon home.

We have great schools. Lots of friendly people. Safe and attractive neighborhoods. A community calendar so packed that if you’re bored, it’s probably because you were looking to do nothing.

But now, thanks to a recent A Mission For Michael study, Brandon has achieved yet another distinction.

Get this: We’re the third-most stressed-out ZIP code in South Dakota.

Woo-hoo! Or woo-hoo.

According to a survey of more than 3,000 parents nationwide, Brandon parents are feeling the pressure. You trailed only Tea (No. 127) and Harrisburg (No. 131) in the statewide rankings, coming in at No. 147 nationally.

Apparently, all those baseball games, dance recitals, football practices, choir concerts, school fundraisers, church activities and endless family obligations are enough to push folks toward the edge.

Who knew?

Actually, everybody who lives here knew.

I don’t have kids. And it would be an absolute miracle if I had any at this point of my life. Yet somehow, as your local newspaper editor, an honorary membership in the “Exhausted Parents Club” may be warranted.

I’ve spent countless hours interviewing coaches and kids, writing about school board meetings, cool things happening in our classrooms and beyond, stopping by youth activities with camera and notebook in hand, and scrolling through enough photos of smiling children holding trophies to qualify for substitute grandma status.

And let me tell you, just keeping track of all the events in this town warrants a nap.

Brandon residents are a unique breed. You willingly sign your kids up for three sports, two camps, piano lessons and youth group.

And heaven forbid you miss a game.

Not because your kid would care.

But because somebody in town is sure to mention, “Didn’t see you at the tournament Saturday.”

Tournament? Which tournament? The baseball tournament? The softball tournament? The volleyball tournament? There are umpteen tournaments every weekend in the summer.

Then there are the winters. The study specifically mentioned South Dakota winters, which means somebody outside the state has finally recognized the Olympic event that is dressing children in snow gear.

From my perspective, putting snow pants on just one kid, albeit two, three or four, should qualify as resistance training.

And yet, despite all the stress, I suspect most parents wouldn’t trade it.

Because all that busyness means something.

It means kids are involved, parents care, coaches volunteer, teachers show up, NS grandparents fill the bleachers. And somehow, in the middle of all that chaos, is where memories are made.

As for me, I get to watch it all from the sidelines. And then I go home to a blissfully quiet house. Nobody needs a ride to practice. Nobody forgot their trumpet at school. Nobody is asking for help with algebra – Amen for that. Because truth be told, I never understood combining the alphabet with numbers, and at this point in my life, I have no desire to figure it all out now.

But every Wednesday morning, when I start piecing together another edition filled with sports scores, honor rolls, dance recitals, summer camps and photos of kids with trophies in hand, smiling from ear-to-ear, I realize something.

I may not have children, but thanks to this job, I get a front-row seat to all of yours.

And honestly?

Just covering your schedules is enough to make me understand why Brandon ranked No. 3 in this study.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I need a nap. Last week, I spied the color guard rehearsing on their parking lot turned practice field. That’s a sure sign that the Marching Lynx will start “marching” next month. And now, after more than two decades doing what I do, I can already hear the beat of the drum and the busyness of another school year is on the horizon.