Back-to-School Blues

    Well, it’s here. I’ve tried ignoring it, but it has come anyway. Back-to-School time. I just really don’t care for it (I’m trying to teach the girls to say “I don’t care for it” rather than “I hate it” as in, “I don’t care for broccoli”, so I figured I’d better take my own advice), which is funny, because when I was a teacher, I loved it. I enjoyed getting my classroom put together and planning activities for the new year. Now, as a parent, it fills me with dread.

    Why? Because my babies go off each morning and spend more of their waking hours with friends and people who did not give birth to them, and I am relegated to snack and dinner maker, homework assister, items for the next day collector and lessons and practice driver. I have a very specific memory of eating lunch with my oldest when she was around three and thinking to myself, “Enjoy it, because before long you’ll be eating lunch alone.” And those days are here. I just want them home with me but I know it is my job to prepare them to leave me and part of that is sending them off to school.

    Life just gets so busy and crazy during the school year. I miss the relaxed days before school when we could do what we wanted with our days and could take a quick trip to visit grandparents anytime. Now we must plan for fun field trips on days off and wait for school holidays to visit with out-of-town relatives.

    School is not all bad-we’ve made some fantastic friends that we would probably have never met if it weren’t for school and the fact that Tori comes home with a smile each day makes it a little easier. Ally is so excited to be starting Pre-K this year and I’m happy for her, but sad for me. I will survive and I’ll get over it and before long I’ll be swept up in all that the school year has to offer.

    So here’s to back-to-school time, wishing all families a great new year!