“back to school” means a lot of things for a lot of people and families.
For parents it’s almost certainly ALWAYS a surprise . . . Just seems to creep up on us unexpectedly (with the possible exception of those phenomenal few human beings who somehow never seem to lose a grip on their calendars).
We’ve all been juggling kids and work and vacations and holidays for the past 12 weeks.
WHEW!
We squeeze that final vacation in at the last minute . . .
and then the mad dash to the finish as we realize that it is now time to get school supplies, register, fill out 142 sheets of paper for each child (writing our home address and telephone numbers a minimum of 12 times during the process) . . .
all the while corralling our kids into quiet places and away from TV and computer to complete their summer reading.
There’s always that tumultuous 48 hours just before learning what teachers they will have . . . and that chaotic drive over to the school @ 5PM on the eve of the 1st (1/2) day of school.
The children talk to each other about the teachers . . . They know who they want . . . and they think they know why.
“That teacher is MEAN!”
“That teacher is STRICT”
“THAT teacher gives LOTS of homework!”
I want HER because she’s NIIIICE!
and so it goes . . . the home room lottery.
Metro Nashville schools teased all of us by having a Thursday 1/2 day as the first day – then off Friday (Long week end on the first week of school) with full classes beginning on Monday. That worked out OK because it gave a few more days to work the kinks out of getting the right supplies.
Today is THE day we move into the new school routine.
This means waking up early and having a real PURPOSE – making lunches, getting dressed, gathering books . . .
and sadly for the kids . . . the end of TV and recreational computer time on week days.
For us adults?
I like the solid and predictable ROUTINE that begins today. I can now go back to using my CALENDAR with some level of certainty that I can commit my time during the day without random conflicts.
Interestingly, though, I realized this morning that we will not be less busy now that school is in session . . . because now we have after school activities . . . PTO meetings . . . Parent/teacher interactions . . . homework help with the kids . . .
We will just be “different busy”.
After all . . . our primary functions as parents (Human adults with children) are to serve our children well such that they are well prepared to take the reins and become responsible and productive adults (and likely serve their own children well).
and so it goes . . . If you’re a parent, these are the years to PERFORM in your service to your children . . . BE their limo driver . . . their concierge . . . their provider of housing and food and clothing . . . and their example of good character, manners, and responsibility.
Do this right, and they’ll return the favor when we all get old and tired and feeble . . . After all . . . didn’t we have children such that they will take care of us through our final years?
Coffee cup is empty . . . but final thought . . . Our children ARE our future. THEY are the ones who will (sooner than any of us really want to admit) be the LEADERS in our society and bear the responsibility to preserve and protect our freedom and well being.
I’m just sayin’
Time to “Start the Blender” (wake the kids up) for the first day of school.
Best,
b
