Both in real life and online moms everywhere are counting down to back-to-school and some have already expressed their glee regarding their Boards early start to the school year. I, however, am not. I am plugging my ears and shouting “I can’t hear you!” at the top of my lungs. I don’t know why because back-to-school is never bad and usually I like to shake things up a bit and get started fresh. But the transition from carefree summer days to the tight schedule of the school year makes it tough for me to embrace.
Unlike many, I’m not sick of my kids yet. Don’t get me wrong, there are days, but for the most part I’m not. A lot of this has to do with the fact that my kids love camp so they have tried a bunch throughout the summer. Here they meet new friends and try new things and expel a tone of energy. They come home happy and renewed. They are a pleasure to be around.
We have also spent a lot of time visiting friends and family. We’ve enjoyed carefree cottage trips or jaunts up north to visit my dad. These little outings offer a change of scenery and and wonderful adventures for the kids. They are happy and so am I. I really hate to disrupt this peaceful balance so I balk at the thought of making a change.
But even as I sit here writing this I am making a shift. I am coming to terms with the fact that this easygoing lifestyle would likely start to get on my nerves pretty soon. My kids would miss their school friends and we would get sick of the lack of structure. So I guess I’ll spend the last week of summer soaking it all in and then take a deep breath and dive right in to our next adventure, back-to-school.
Making lunches again…(that the kids will eat)
Going to Staples again..(blue binders, red binders…what a demanding school)
All those forms to fill…(pizza forms, activity forms…ya know what I mean)
All those upcoming birthday parties..(everyone seems to be born in the fall)
All those after-school activites to register for….(which I did too late and it’s full)
Making playdates again….
Figuring out car pool arrangements…(oh don’t you love carpool)
Its endless, why September is a stressful month!!
I totally agree about routine. We had very few weeks (and they were vacation at cottages or away) that weren’t based on a schedule. The key to a happy summer, in my opinion, is a variety of different camps. Even half day camps provide an event that your children’s day (and yours) can centre around. They won’t be bored and you will get a break!
I don’t think too many moms cheer about back-to-school because they don’t enjoy being with their kids. It’s just that some kids (and moms!) don’t do well with the unstructured nature of the long summer vacation. The reason I was happy to send my kids back to school is because my oldest, in particular, needs the daily routine. She is completely at a loose end if the days are not planned down to the second, and spent most of her summer complaining that she was bored and had nothing to do. Although they said it’s what they wanted, a summer with no activities and few routines did NOT turn out to be fun for anyone. Especially when I was expected to be a social convenor/event planner/personal entertainer for my 9 year-old. Not a relaxing way to spend the day.
I adore my kids and I love being with them, but it is a real challenge to be together 24/7 when nobody is at their best. Far better for us all to spend a little time apart and then spend the rest of the time together interacting in a positive way and enjoying each other.
I hate back-to-school every year, and this is no exception. We have already had our first 2 days of school – how ridiculous is that! My oldest has started Grade 12, and is already considering which Universities to apply for, as open houses and applications start up right away. How did he grow up so fast? My youngest is entering 4th grade – aack! I have already had to write cheques for more than $1000 for school fees, band registrations, etc.
Despite spending most of it at home while my husband travelled with our boys, it was a fantastic summer – my kids got along with each other, and my teenage daughter and I spent enough time together for me to feel we really connected for the first time in a couple of years.
It is not back-to-school I dread so much as back to all of the activities that go along with it. I feel like I have just begun my 10 month marathon.
I am with you! I hate the end of summer as much as they do. All that running around and fixed schedules just goes against our nature. I hate hearing parents cheer about school’s return– I know there are moments of stress when they are all hyper, but what the heck did we have them for if we can’t enjoy them and the lazy days of summer???
I’m dreading it. It will take me away from my kids all day for the first time in their short lives. It’s going to be difficult for all of us.
I like summer, yes, a lot and I love spending lots of carefree time with the kids…but I thrive on routine (and so do the kids) so I’m really looking forward to school and bedtimes and having my evenings to myself again!