Forget about the kids; are you ready for a new school year?
Ready or not, once Labor Day ends back-to-school structure and schedules will snowball into a massive avalanche of the “new norm”.
No more bedtimes in the double digits, no more meals around an open fire, no more swimming before breakfast. Back to pencils, books and teacher’s dirty looks… and mom nagging about unfinished homework.
I already listed a litany of reasons why I am not looking forward to back-to-school, but I neglected to mention that a small part of me is harboring some optimism about the return to classes. For instance:
Structure: Whereas I love the spontaneity of summer, the ability to wake-up and head out on a two-hour bike ride with my 7-year-old or switch gears on a dime and head to the pool for the entire afternoon, there is something to be said about structure and routines. The school year means I know that the majority of my work will be done between the hours of 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. and not 2 a.m. and 9 a.m.
Bedtime: Personally, I don’t think first and second graders should be awake at 10 or 11 p.m. However, summer’s unpredictability lends itself to some late nights. Now that school’s here, bedtime is back to 7:30 p.m. which means enjoying the calm of a quiet house by 8 p.m.
No More Strategizing: I work from home and wouldn’t change it for the world. However, juggling conference calls and conducting phone interviews with young kids at home requires careful strategizing. Think art projects, a new puzzle, or a DVD, then crossing your fingers that whatever transpires from the activity remains out of earshot. With school back in session, the stress associated with work-related calls is dramatically reduced.
Shopping: I despise shopping, but I hate it even more when I have to drag a reluctant child along with me. With school starting I don’t have to sweat impromptu runs to the market nor do I have to worry about strapping a whiny kid into the car if I have to make an emergency trip to the store for toilet paper.
What are you looking forward to the most as back-to-school season starts?
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