Here I am again. Making lunches, taking out clothes for tomorrow, cleaning backpacks. Summer came and went in flash.
We settled into an easy routine of sleep-ins, late breakfasts, pj’s till noon, and lazy afternoons in the yard or park. The last few weeks of August I kept my kids close with no big plans; I wanted to savour their closeness knowing that this time would come.
I love the fall, with its cool breezes and return to routine. But, I’m not ready to part with summer, or with my kids. I feel like they’ve already grown and changed over these summer months. Their bodies, tanned and longer – bigger, older. Time is passing so quickly and the change in season magnifies this passing.
How do I make it slow down? I try to write things down, take many pictures. The days with them are golden and quick. Like a home movie on fast forward.
I am mother of two- 5 and 3 1/2 boyz – On my second maternity I extended my leave for 6months- and glad I did! When I returned to work there were a lot of changes to make and adapt to. My department had a management change – and my work schedule was not as flexible. Unable to work from home, and I had a difficult time balancing work -home life. I finally decided to request to work part-time. They only granted it on a 6month basis – I work 4 -days a week at 80%pay. When the time was up I requested an extention – they didnt want to give it to me but I had to make a formal grievance to have it granted. My part-time work schedule ended in August and I am dreading the months to come. Although they have been flexible with allowing me to leave work a bit earlier (deduct off my pay of course) to pick up kids from school/daycare. It’s still difficult. I miss being with my children – the little moments – and teaching them things – not just being there 2hrs a night to discipline them (what it feels like sometimes) .. I am thinking of taking a 1year off – leave of absence – something I have been thinking about for a while. I hope to find a carreer where I could work part-time and still be there for the kids/family (at least until they are in school full time)…
I hope I am making the right decision for my family.
My baby girl started kindergarten on Friday. I cried, wrote a post about it, and then cried some more. It is wonderful (really!) the way the sun touches them and they shoot up and they are suddenly so much bigger…. No, I’m not ready, either.
8 1/2 and 6….both going on 16! gah!
I miss my kids (19 and almost 18), but only because I am selfish and like to have my family all together. I am not worried (much) because they are both very capable and independent. I also remember those exciting days of moving away to university, and keep telling myself this is where they need to be right now, and they are far more ready than I was. But it definitely feels weird to have only 2 kids (14 and 11) at the supper table. Some people thought we were crazy having 4 – we are so glad we did.
I admire you – four kids! Are you worried with your kids away? Or do you feel confident enough in their ability to manage on their own?
How old are your kids, Julie?
Your son sounds like mine. Growing up is way overrated. Loved the back-to-school pics – looks like your kids sprouted over the summer as well! hope the day went well.
Wow! Grade 12 – that is amazing. Good to know I’ll have you to ask for advice along the way! Congrats on the book btw – you are a rock star!! Can’t wait to read it.
How was Day 1??!!
I sent my two older ones off to university this past weekend – talk about not wanting them to grow up! However, my husband keeps reminding me that we have done our jobs pretty well to have our children be independent and ready to start the next phase of their lives. I will be enjoying the two younger ones even more, knowing how quickly my time with them will fly by, although I still don’t enjoy my younger son towering over me and my daughter showing me she only has a couple of inches left before we will be eye to eye. I wish I could keep them all small.
i don’t want them to grow up either! after wishing they’d just “grow up”, it’s starting and i want to take it all back!
I SO hear you. And I think the kids do too. My 12 y/o son said to me last night on the eve of middle school, “I don’t want to grow up, mom.” :*(
Good- this is the picture you described on my post- beautiful.
I think those of us who are holding on are doing so because we love it so much. And that is only a good thing.
If it helps- my big girl is in grade 12- you have much time left!
I hear you, lady. But, I am soooo ready… 🙂