What You Are And What You Aren’t Looking Forward To: Back To School

 

What You Are And What You Aren’t Looking Forward To: Back To School

(Moms & dads)

8-19-2012

 

 

When I think about the kids going back to school in a measly 3 weeks, even less now, I can’t help but remember the post I wrote when they were going to be getting out of school. That only seemed like 3 weeks ago. WOW! I hope that it’s going slower for the kids and that pops was right..time goes faster as you grow older. (Though to me, the Winter still goes painfully slow.)

 

So, now that back to school is coming up and fast, what are some things that you are looking forward to and not looking forward to about it.

 

 

Pros

 

1. Less chaos at home

You may have all of your kids in school already or you may only have one baby, or twins, etc. at home once school starts. Regardless, you can’t help but admit that life is more manageable with a smaller clan to tend to, or none at all. I can’t remember being alone at home. I guess I’ll find out soon enough what that used to be like.

 

 

2. Less jealousy

This applies to older, jealous siblings. My now 7 year old still has her moments..big time. I like that she gets to have her own little life, and not have the twins in her world and invading her space 24/7. It’s a break for her and for mom. I don’t have to worry about showing all of my affections for our duo. Mikayla watches and still cuts through me like daggers in the eyes at times. School takes that pressure off.

 

 

3. Quality time with little, younger kids

I honestly miss that special time I would spend with the twins alone. That was forced to end once Summer break began. But now I can love them up without guilt of who I may be upsetting, snap as many photos as I want without anybody saying a word, and spend one on two time with just my little ones. Who’d think that being out with just young twins would be a break, but in my world..it is.

 

 

4. Socialization for the school-aged kids

I know at school my kids get lots of time outside of the home socializing with other children, making friends, getting away from the stress of the twins. Learning, growing, developing their minds. It’s good for them to have lives outside of the home.

 

 

Cons

 

1. Missing the kids

Yes, it might be nice to spend time with just your young one or ones that aren’t yet in school. Or even being alone..that’s got to be nice sometimes, actually getting something done or taking a REAL nap for a change. However, I do miss my kids when their gone. I know for some that sounds crazy, but I guess I’ll be one of those crying, empty nesters, very unlike my own parents.

 

 

2. Freedom

I love the Summer because we don’t arrange any ‘planned’ activities. We don’t do camp or any Summer sports or activities that are scheduled. We just wing it. Wake up..no rushing, decide where we want to go for the day and just do it. Once school starts, things get structured and everything has to be on a schedule. You lose the freedom that Summer most often brings with it.

 

 

3. Break out the minivan soccer moms..the activities begin again

Suddenly, you find yourself going from the lazy days of Summer to driving one child to dance, the other to basketball practice, picking up here, dropping off there. You blow through gas and sanity very quickly playing cab driver. I enjoy watching my kids take part in activities, but I wouldn’t spit at a limo and chauffeur to get the job done for me.

 

 

4. Play dates

Oh yes.. the fun of play dates, birthday party invites to be among people you don’t know at all are always a pleasure. It isn’t so bad if you can stand the parent(s). But if Tim’s moms is super annoying and you know you’ll NEVER EVER be friends with her, but your children become real close, it’s a tough and awkward situation.

 

 

5. Bitchin’ kids

Most kids don’t look forward to going back to school. Some will really dread that 1st day/ week/ month, what have you. Guess who deals with the brunt of that? ‘Ol mom..that’s who. It can be quite taxing helping your child out in this arena. Even painful for you if tears are shed. Something I never look forward to. My older child actually likes school, but isn’t dying to go back. My little one should love school (she’s so popular), but is dreading it badly. I hear it daily. ”How many weeks left mom?” UGH! I said, ”I am NOT having a 2nd grade drop out…sorry .”

 

 

6.  Back to school shopping

Need I say more? Hunting down all of those school supplies, dealing with empty shelves, driving from store to store, getting everything on those stupid lists that they mail to you. As if we don’t pay enough in taxes for schools to provide our kids with free glue sticks and scissors. At least a few crayons? They ask for some stupid things to. Like tissues and baby wipes? My children have been potty trained for some time now, thanks.

 

Let’s not forget about the money aspect of back to school. It flies out the door faster than a child does chasing the ice cream man down the street. Then after it begins the school itself is forever sending home book sale crap, fundraiser info., bake sales, boutique sale notices, boxes of expensive chocolate to sell, as if we aren’t forced to buy it and keep it ourselves. Nobody wants it. Everybody else is selling it to. School is pricey all year long.

 

 

7. It signifies the end of Summer..at least close to it

The saddest part of all. If you are like me and you enjoy the sunshine, Summer walks, the beach and pool. Soon it’ll be all over and we’ll be heating up the car for 10 minutes before we hop inside. Seems impossible, but it’s closer than you think now. I feel like having a good cry.

 

 

8. Packing school lunches

My kids hate the cafeteria food so I always get the bonus, early morning task of preparing lunches for all, which means getting up early. You would think school lunches came a long way since my day, but it appears not. They don’t like them, unfortunately.

 

 

9. Getting up early and getting everybody ready

There’s no rush in the mornings in the Summer, but once school starts you got to get up to feed the kids early, for younger ones help them get dressed, teeth brushed, hair done. It’s a project. Then you have to make sure they get to the bus on time, and even worse yet, if you don’t get bus service you have to pull your own self together to get them off to class on time. What a pain in the rump that is.

 

 

10. Fighting for a parking space at pick up time

Consider yourself lucky if your children are busers. My 7 year old does not get the bus and trust me…these moms are like animals when it comes to getting a good, close parking spot. Especially when it starts getting cold outside. Most of them drive like animals to. Anything to walk the shortest distance, tee-hee. Coming 1/2 hr. early isn’t even enough. I knew this woman who got the same spot each day and she was always there 1 hour or more early. LOCO!

 

 

11. The kids are ‘out of our control’

We don’t have them under our wing. I always worried about my kids in school. On the playground, peer pressure and bullying. Also, just worried about their safety all around. It’s tough, especially when they are young and you are a chronic worrier by nature.

 

 

12. HOMEWORK

Do you ever feel like you are the one that is going back to school when it comes to all of the homework the kids are given? I don’t understand some of it, especially the new math they started up with last year. Even I had to write a note to the teacher asking her to please explain it to me. For the younger kids especially, it feels like homework isn’t just done by our kids, but it’s like it’s work for us as well. Hey, I didn’t my time..I don’t want to go back to school myself, but I have no choice when it comes to certain things such as the ‘h’ word. I still hate it!

 

Will somebody please tell me WTF kids are making that require 16 stinkin’ glue sticks ????

Just wrap up the whole store in a paper bag for me, I’ll be good to go.

 

Ok, I have written enough here. As you can see I personally find more cons than pros but we’ll see when EVERYBODY is gone and away for the first time in ages. I wonder if I’ll get lonely ? We’ll find out. If you have any pros and cons to share, please feel free to do so.