On a recent field trip to Hawaii Children’s Discovery Center, I had three kindergartners pulling me in three different directions at one of the interactive exhibits.

I assured them we would make time to cross the hanging bridge in the play area, dress up at the make-believe theater and shop at the pretend grocery store. My goal, I explained to them, was for us to stay together, take turns choosing activities and most of all, just have fun.

“OK!!!” they exclaimed, itching to run off to the first activity of the exhibit.

Chaperoning field trips has become a big part of my mommy life. I always enjoy each experience, as exhausting as it can sometimes be. (I’ve also been pulled in different directions by eager students at the Honolulu Zoo and Polynesian Cultural Center, each coincidentally 42 acres, which my energetic assigned groups may or may not have forced me to thoroughly cover.)

As chaperones, our main responsibilities include helping teachers supervise their students and keep them safe.

After attending nearly 20 field trips over the past eight years with all three of my daughters, I consider myself a somewhat seasoned chaperone, having kept a watchful eye out for scores of kiddies at a fire station in Kapolei, the state Capitol and various farms and museums around the island.

While I volunteer for the children, I have to admit I also sign up to chaperone for my own childlike curiosities. As much as I focus on trying not to lose any of my assigned kids, I often end up losing myself on these field trips — getting caught up in the moment listening to our tour guide at the revered Battleship Missouri or watching a beautiful performance by the Hawaii Youth Symphony at Blaisdell Concert Hall.

I have found myself as enthusiastic as the students while riding the Pineapple Express train at Dole Plantation, and catching and releasing western pygmy blue butterflies (the smallest butterflies in North America!) at the Pearl Harbor National Wildlife Refuge, Honouliuli Unit.

But of all the benefits of being a chaperone — keeping students safe while learning and having fun along with them — the very best is being able to spend time with my own child.

Those moments when it’s just the two of us interacting offer another opportunity for memories we’ll be able to share long after the excursion is over.

At the end of the field trip to the children’s museum, my daughter and I talked about our favorite parts of the day.

“Did you have fun?” I asked as I always do.

“Yes!” she said with a big smile on her sweet face.

As tired as I was at that moment, I found myself looking forward to chaperoning the next field trip — no matter how many directions I’m pulled.

“She Speaks” is a column by women writers of the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Reach Zenaida Serrano at zserrano@staradvertiser.com.