I thought that this year’s back to school transition would be easier than last year’s. It seems logical to think that since my son would be starting 1st grade and we had already gotten used going to elementary school the year before, that this year would be pretty straightforward. Wrong!
I guess that is exactly what it is like to be a parent though. You think one thing, and then boom, you are proven wrong yet again. But I guess in this instance I am referring more to myself and my transition from summer to school, than for my son.
Thank God he LOVES school! In fact, even just this morning he was upset with us for telling him we are taking him out of school a little early to go to Legoland and stay overnight in the Legoland Hotel. The kid would rather be in school than hang in a theme park and hotel designed solely for kids’ pleasure and entertainment! After showing him pictures of the Adventure-themed-room we are staying in and explaining how this hotel is different from others and that this is most likely the only time we will be staying there, I was able to win him over. Fingers crossed, he will be happy when we all roll up to his school early this afternoon to whisk him away.
Legoland aside, I suppose it is a new routine this year at our school. They have closed the campus so adults have to check in at the front office (which is located at the other entrance, significantly further from our house) and we have a new system for drop offs and pick ups.
But that isn’t the point, the point is with this back to school season I have felt overwhelmed and a bit bummed- and I consider myself an organized and happy person. I didn’t turn in all the papers to the teacher, I couldn’t figure out how to login to the online system for a couple days, I feel behind and wonder how other moms out there are feeling? What do you do to stay on top of back to school?
The night before school started I secretly cried before going to sleep. I didn’t want my oldest to start back in school full days. I wished he could still be on a half day preschool schedule like my younger son. I wanted to keep our beach adventure days, lazy mornings and utter flexibility going strong! Now that they are back in school it feels like I am just doing, doing, doing and I guess I miss the playing…
Two days ago, my son came home from school and said he doesn’t have enough time for playing anymore now that he’s in first grade. Hmm, guess we are having the same experience! Sometimes it’s easy to forget that our kids are going through big transitions, especially when they are good kids who seem to be able to easily adapt. (And I guess it’s good timing to be heading to Legoland- lots of time to play.)
What is it about being human and having routine?
So we will push on and get used to this new routine. Now that my youngest has finally started preschool (a few weeks after my oldest), I will have some time in the mornings to get sorted and stay on top of things. In the mean time I have to offer myself GRACE just like I would to my children. We can only do the best we can do and it’s ok to make mistakes and forget things once in awhile.
In a few months we will be a well-oiled school routine machine and fingers crossed I can actually get some projects done that I have been putting off for ages (like baby books, toy sorting, closet cleaning, photo organizing, etc.)
As a mom the list of things we are responsible for is endless, but we have to make time for our own joy, fun and relaxation- easier said than done. So if you have a funny back to school story or a helpful strategy you’ve learned about making the back to school transition go smoothly, I’d love to hear it!
PS- I hope you like my silly 1st day of school pic! LOL
