Back To School
Lemme' just say, I love Jen Hatmaker. And her blog. This is a woman who gets it and isn't afraid to put it out there. And it's always hilarious. Because you have to find the humor in parenting, or else you will lose. your. everloving. mind.
Today marks the one-week point to the first day of school. Truthfully, I have had mixed feelings about this...I have really enjoyed this summer with my kiddos. We have had some great, fun family times. I'm not ready for the rigamarole of the school year just yet. The thought of homework is enough to send me to my sick bed with a mother-of-a-headache. And don't even get me started on packing lunches.
But then this week happened.
I went into this week knowing it was the moment of truth. For us, that last week of summer vacay is always the killer of good times. Would this year be different? I was hopeful.
But no. At this point, my kids are b.o.r.e.d. And sick and tired. Sick and tired of themselves and each other. Sick and tired of me yelling for them to find something to do and that it's not my job to entertain them. Sick and tired of me in general. Sick and tired of the heat. Sick and tired of the pool. Sick and tired of their rooms. Sick and tired of bowling, movies, games. I suppose I should take this as a sign that they have a super awesome amazing nanny...one who keeps them from becoming sick and tired. But I think by the end of last week, she was even arriving at sick and tired too. I, too, am sick and tired. Sick and tired of the fighting (they are on each other's last nerves), sick and tired of the boredom, sick and tired of them destroying every single room they enter, sick and tired of snacking, sick and tired of them asking (to no avail) for soda to drink. Sick and tired of reminding them to brush their hair and teeth. Sick and tired of them thinking that the kitchen is a restaurant and I am their own personal short order cook. Sick and tired of the slugs they have become here lately.
In conjunction with the bored, they are hyped up with the excitement/anticipation/dread of school. The combination of all these things is lethal on its safest days. Our house is a grenade of emotion and drama and someone keeps threatening to pull the pin.
Even the dog is in on the action. It's like she just KNOWS they're about to leave her and she's driving everyone mad. Or maybe it's because she's ready to get back to her routine and they are driving her mad. Regardless, I'm convinced that dog is really Satan's offspring wrapped up in Labrador retriever cuteness.
It's official. We are done. Summer is over. If we all survive until next Tuesday, it will be a miracle. I entered this week daring my kids to prove me wrong about it being time for them to get back to school. It's the one time they refused to accept the dare.
I love summer. But I know my kids, and I know me and that means I know that we will all be happier with some structure, separation and distraction.
Hello school, nice to see you my old friend!
Today marks the one-week point to the first day of school. Truthfully, I have had mixed feelings about this...I have really enjoyed this summer with my kiddos. We have had some great, fun family times. I'm not ready for the rigamarole of the school year just yet. The thought of homework is enough to send me to my sick bed with a mother-of-a-headache. And don't even get me started on packing lunches.
But then this week happened.
I went into this week knowing it was the moment of truth. For us, that last week of summer vacay is always the killer of good times. Would this year be different? I was hopeful.
But no. At this point, my kids are b.o.r.e.d. And sick and tired. Sick and tired of themselves and each other. Sick and tired of me yelling for them to find something to do and that it's not my job to entertain them. Sick and tired of me in general. Sick and tired of the heat. Sick and tired of the pool. Sick and tired of their rooms. Sick and tired of bowling, movies, games. I suppose I should take this as a sign that they have a super awesome amazing nanny...one who keeps them from becoming sick and tired. But I think by the end of last week, she was even arriving at sick and tired too. I, too, am sick and tired. Sick and tired of the fighting (they are on each other's last nerves), sick and tired of the boredom, sick and tired of them destroying every single room they enter, sick and tired of snacking, sick and tired of them asking (to no avail) for soda to drink. Sick and tired of reminding them to brush their hair and teeth. Sick and tired of them thinking that the kitchen is a restaurant and I am their own personal short order cook. Sick and tired of the slugs they have become here lately.
In conjunction with the bored, they are hyped up with the excitement/anticipation/dread of school. The combination of all these things is lethal on its safest days. Our house is a grenade of emotion and drama and someone keeps threatening to pull the pin.
Even the dog is in on the action. It's like she just KNOWS they're about to leave her and she's driving everyone mad. Or maybe it's because she's ready to get back to her routine and they are driving her mad. Regardless, I'm convinced that dog is really Satan's offspring wrapped up in Labrador retriever cuteness.
I am working from home this week, due to lack of childcare. I made this clear to the children early in the week. Working from home is both a blessing and a curse -- a blessing because you get to have some flexibility and be there with your children. And a curse for the same reason. They were on board. Excited. Supportive. Total solidarity. "Got it, mom."
So, why, every morning is the first thing out of their mouths "what are we going to do today?" This morning, my son asked me what we were having for dinner before he'd even had breakfast. I told him "whatever you decide to make." He looked at me like I'd lost an eyeball. They have become slugs. Bickering, filthy, ravenous slugs.
Today, it rained. Because we weren't all ready to kill each other before. My husband is out of town. The noise level in my home is awe inspiring. Why are they always yelling? Even when they're not fighting it's just yelling. Can no one speak in a normal tone? I finally put in the movie Elf just to get them to stop talking; after 30 solid minutes of arguing negotiating, it's the one movie they could agree on. Can you believe I am actually hoping the football scrimmage/cheerleading practice does NOT get cancelled tonight? At this point, 1.5 hours of silence and no one needing me or whining or fighting trumps the fact that my "me" time might take place in a downpour.
It's official. We are done. Summer is over. If we all survive until next Tuesday, it will be a miracle. I entered this week daring my kids to prove me wrong about it being time for them to get back to school. It's the one time they refused to accept the dare.
I love summer. But I know my kids, and I know me and that means I know that we will all be happier with some structure, separation and distraction.
Hello school, nice to see you my old friend!
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