Counting Down the Days Until School Starts
School starts in less than two weeks and not a day too soon! Don’t get me wrong, I have loved all the time I have spent with the kids this summer - cheering them on at swim meets, shuttling them to their respective sports practices (ice hockey, gymnastics and swimming), hosting sleepovers, going to the pool, doing Camp Weary Parent activities and taking a few road trips, too, but all good things must come to an end.
These past few days my daughters (almost 10 and 6.5) have really shown me they are ready to be back in school and NEED to be back in school. They need to take direction from other grown ups. They need to learn to “shut up and color” when they don’t get their own way. They need to have the constant structure and socialization that a full day at school followed by activities provides. And I NEED to be able to have a few hours of peace and quiet each day.
The girls are feeling the effects of getting on mom’s last nerve today. While they had friends over they managed to trash their bedrooms, the playroom and even left a mess in the living room. Now why should I have to clean that up? So today there will be no TV, no phone calls, no computer, and no friends until those four rooms are back up to my standards.
So this morning has been less than pleasant as they stomp around trying to find ways to get out of their consequences. I’m not budging and this is one time I am glad I have”thick skin” and am not affected by being called a “meanie head” or the meanest mom on earth. Actually, I take it as a compliment!
But I think they are starting to get it. This mom is counting down the days…
Tags: School Issues, weary-parentRelated Stories
POSTED IN: School Issues
4 opinions for Counting Down the Days Until School Starts
Topsy-Techie
Aug 13, 2008 at 8:09 am
Weary parent sounds…weary. I’m thinking, if they forgive you that is, that this afternoon might be a good time for a spa day! Let the girls brush your hair, give you a facial, paint your nails eight shades of blue. Might be time to trick them into some much needed pampering for yourself…and if all else fails, schedule that massage ASAP!
char
Aug 13, 2008 at 9:01 am
I think I will be scheduling a spa treatment while we are on vacation next week and I may even let them get a manicure too - but in the meantime, I’m just trying to get through the next few days.
Kelly
Aug 13, 2008 at 10:12 am
My 12 yo daughter going back to school doesn’t make much difference in my world since I’m a working single mom, so she’s just either in camp or at school and I’m not home during the day anyway. In fact, some of her activities take a break for the summer, so that’s more of a break for me than the school year is.
But I get how you feel… it’s always nice to get some quiet time to yourself while they are out of the house. I always look forward to moments like that!
Oh, and I feel you on the mess making. My daughter is the world’s largest slob, and it feels like all I do anymore is get her to clean up the messes she’s made all over the house.
Jackie Papandrew
Aug 21, 2008 at 7:50 am
I wrote a column about this Most Wonderful Time of the Year on my blog — it might give you a laugh! Read it at http://www.jackiepapandrew.blogspot.com.
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