Back-to-School Blues
I have the back-to-school blues. Ba-da-da-da-dum.
Yeah, I know, this goes against how parents are supposed to feel at the end of summer. It’s the most wonderful time of the year, right? While that commercial gives me a good chuckle every time, I still get the blues when the school season begins.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m no saint. And I’m no Mary Poppins. Despite how much I love my munchkins, I’m not flitting about with an umbrella singing playful tunes and creating inspired games to occupy idle hours! No, I’m just like every other stay-at-home mom or dad that needs breaks. Believe me, my nerves have thinned out hearing the upteenth “mommy, I’m _____” (fill in the blank with hot/cold/thirsty/hungry/bored, etc), and “mommy, I need ____” (fill in the blank with a drink/something to eat/to poo/something to play with/tape/stickers/paper)”. (You get the picture, the possibilities are endless!)
Yet, I don’t long for the start of school.
September brings a new pace in life. Back-to-school also means back to more scheduled days with school drop-off, pick-ups, activities, parties, school functions, and homework… and more. All while trying to maintain the household and errands and cooking and cleaning and making school lunches… and more. It’s a chaotic pace most weeks, and this I don’t look forward to.
Back-to-school also equals back-to-”cold and flu season”. And lice. Egads! Knock wood, our daughters haven’t had lice… but there are lice breakouts in their classes and school several times every year. (Tip: brush lavender and tree tree oils through your kids’ hair before going to school, helps repel the little buggers.) Of course this year, there’s also H1N1 to contend with. Health officials are recommending stringent hand washing. Really?! No surprises there. This is not new information, we all know hand washing is key to preventing spread of viruses. But do ya’ think all those kids are going to be fastidious about washing their hands? Even if they have good hygiene habits, school washrooms aren’t always adequately stocked with soap and/or towels. Plus, the kids are speedily spreading germs while in their classrooms, on the playground, when opening doors, etc, anyhow. I won’t go further into that topic. Let’s just say that school is unfortunately a breeding ground for germs and viruses. I practically hose down my kids when they return home!
And, the change of seasons is alwasy a bit tough for me. I’m a fair-weather girl. Spring and summer are my seasons. Love the warmth, love the colors and life they bring. Love the bounty of local fresh fruits and veggies. I’m okay with early autumn, but when the colder weather begins – watch out, I’m on domestic lockdown! You’ll usually find me plopped in front of the fireplace with a herbal tea. Hand me a cookbook, and some chocolate or ice cream to keep that tea company, and I could stay there most of the season!
Actually, I think I’ll get started on that chocolate straight away. No time like the present! Dark chocolate has mood-lifting properties after all, right? And, when I return for my next post, I’ll share some ideas for packing snacks and lunches for your kidlets. Until then… good luck braving the back-to-school bustle!
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I’m past the back to school with the kids years – except my wife is still a schoolteacher. In our district the union voted on a different annual schedule that has been very popular. Instead of the day after Labor Day, everyone goes back to school August 10. That gives a two month break in the summer, a one week break Thanksgiving week, two and one half weeks at Christmas, and a nice Spring break as well. Three months is too long for kids to be out of school. I know this messes with working parents, and it is a long spell from Labor Day to Thanksgiving. But then it seems all downhill. Tom Medlicott
[...] got the back-to-school blues, and am singin’ my woes in my latest T/S piece. I don’t know if other parents out there feel like I do. I realize I’m in the minority [...]
Tom, that’s an interesting concept. I have a friend in Ontario, and her children started school this year a week earlier – before Labor Day weekend – which was a first. It would give kids the chance to start back to school with a few more brighter mornings and warmer days as well, and give some needed breaks during the year when the load of activities and school can become heavy and we begin to feel rundown. I imagine there would be a great deal of resistance to the idea, but there always is to change! I’ve always felt school goes on too long into June as well. The last two weeks of school not much is being done, and the weather is fine, but school isn’t out until late in the month. I’m always ready for that break a couple of weeks earlier in June!