How I Really Feel About The Kids Returning To School
So you want to know how I really feel about the kids returning to school this fall? Well, I’m the mom who isn’t doing the happy dance and celebrating with a big bowl of ice cream. We’ve done our back-to-school shopping, the new clothes are hanging in the closet, and all of this prep work makes me very sad. I’ve enjoyed our summer days together and I’m not yet ready to celebrate its end.
The Truth
But wait, don’t you enjoy the daily school schedule and routine?
No, I love our unpredictable days that we spontaneously fill with new activities and fun adventures. I treasure our busy days that are spent together. When the alarm clock goes off in the morning, I don’t want to rush around packing lunches, signing school forms, and sending everyone off on their way. Routine and schedules are beneficial, however, I’d take my unplanned chaos any day!
What about all the extra free time you will have?
Free time, what is that? The hours, while my kids are sitting in a classroom, is when I’m working on all the things on my to-do list. Our evenings are invaded by homework and prep for the next day. My time isn’t suddenly free, it’s just now there is a shift in my schedule. One day, the free time will come, for now, I’ll be ok with the lack of ‘me-time’.
What I’ll Miss
Now, if you’re the mom whose picture goes viral because you are super excited for the back-to-school season, I’m happy for you. Your being a good parent isn’t determined by whether you’re excited about the kids returning to school or not. We all feel differently about the beginning and end of the school year. I’m the mom having a dance party on the last day of school instead of the first day. Simply put, I’ll miss them…
I’ll miss
The chaos…
The never-ending requests for snacks…
Our last minute day trips filled with the unexpected…
Not brushing our hair for a couple days because we lived in ponytails…
Staying up late…
Waking up late…
Library days spent taking one adventure after the other with each new book we read…
Board games and card games…
Sunshine and ice cream…
Until next summer.
