Back to school – moments to cherish for every parent

It may not be the end of summer for several more weeks, but many parents are feeling the summer waning as we send off our kids back to school this week…

For some parents, they are relieved to have something to keep the kids busy again during the day. Others are sad for the special family time to end. For me, it’s re-introducing the kid’s busy schedules that the school year signifies that makes me want to stave off the end of summer break a little longer. I love the freedom of the summer months… not having to think about the schedules of school starting times, what times breakfast, getting dressed and getting shoes on needs to happen, the need to get the kids to bed right early, the afterschool list of activities that keep me thinking about what laundry is clean, what bags are packed, who’s going where and when each day.

But alas, there is something to rejoice in the excitement of a new school year. Sierra is starting preschool in the Pre-K class, which means she is with the big kids, some of whom will go to Kindergarten next year, and with her sister’s and our favorite teacher at Moldovan Academy. Rylan will be starting 3rd grade and make the first switch of teachers he’s had in two years, since he was in the same combo class for 1st and 2nd grade. And Aubrey will be starting Kindergarten and joining her brother for the first time in elementary school. The older kids are both excited about being in school together.

It is interesting how much you fret and think and plan, as a parent, the first time you do something monumental like sending a child off to Kindergarten. I was so eager and excited for Rylan, and put so much attention into doing everything right – from shopping for the right school supplies to making sure he had the perfect backpack to thinking about what he would wear his first day of school weeks beforehand. For Aubrey, I am much more easygoing, we were able to convince her to get her own backpack at the last minute – she had wanted to use one of mine from when I was a teenager, and I couldn’t very well discourage her if that’s what made her happy, even if the backpack was 20 years old and had seen better days. I still don’t have all the school supplies picked up, even though school starts tomorrow. And, I certainly haven’t purchased any new clothes or a new lunchbox for her. I will, however, make sure I get the all-important first day of school photo with her and her brother, though. And probably share it on Facebook because apparently that’s what all parents can’t help themselves from doing.

I am so excited for my new schedule that will allow me more time to spend with the kids each day after school, and so excited for all they will learn and how much they will grow this year.

Sierra started preschool this week with a little shyness, but didn’t protest when I finally asked for a kiss and said goodbye. My last preschool years as a parent!

There are some things I know I will always treasure – this time – with the kids growing up and into these classes and grades , is certainly one of them.