Back To School

It's kind of like New Years, isn't it? We greet it with a bit of dread and a whole lot of hope! At least, I do! Some wistful reflection threaded thru as well.

BIG plans:

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do homework FIRST

MAKE them do their homework FIRST

less screen time

ok I'll be more involved this time around, maybe I'll volunteer or something

ok I'll show more interest this time around, meddle a little more--so I'm in the know

ok I'll chill out a little more--trust them to take care of the things--give them the chance

I'll do homework when them before it's too late at night and we're all about to melt down

I won't participate in any melt downs, I'll just maturely oversee and empathize

I'll stay on top of, and of THEM on top of: Their Rooms, Their Laundry, Their Chores--pleasantly! consistently! well-oiled-machine in the works

but not too well oiled ohmygoodness I don't need to run SUCH a tight ship! loosen up a little they're just kids still

 

This Year's Gonna Be Different!

It's Gonna Be Great!

Seize The Day! Every Day! 

 

BIG plans. I remember getting ready for the new school year, as a kid, and going to the store with my parents to get all the things. The pencils and erasers and dividers and notebooks and other extra special things the teachers asked for. It was fun, but I think I always had a nervous stomach during the process, cause when I think of it again now I get that nervous stomach again. All those butterflies! Who would be in my class? What would my teacher be like? Would I get lunch with anyone I knew?

Then, the older I got, careful about The (new) Outfits. Anxious to wear them, but needing the cooler weather to come cause hey summer always lingers when you have a new sweater and jeans you want to show off! Doesn't it?

 

I'm sure all you teachers out there can still relate! Been thinking of you! All the PLANS I'm sure you have! The fresh notebooks! 

I started a new term, but that happens three times a year so I get even more practice at BIG plans. The first pages of my prep notes are usually so neat and so, just, ready. Ready! Maybe I'll try out something NEW! New articles New in-class discussion strategies New staying on top of it all. 

Then, by the end. It's like a Friday where the toilet paper roll is pulled out and all over the floor and no one cares and the drawers and cupboards are all open and the laundry is overflowing and no one takes care of the dishes that night and what in the world are we even going to EAT tomorrow anyway? TOMORROW? Precious tomorrow and then we can hit the re-set. And try again.

 

Back To School is like a Monday. High hopes! (This week will be Nice & Tidy and under control! Not like last week ohmygoodness what a gong show.)

Back To School is like New Years. Resolutions! Dreams!

 

This year: I'm trying a kickboxing class with Therese, I have a child now looking for a JOB, I'm being forewarned about just how hard parenting a teen BOY might be (Lord Help Me!), I'm realizing my youngest is going to start the Back To School excitement next year and I kind of can't wait I think he's going to LOVE it, I have plans for doing more grown up things like being better with money and being better about keeping my affairs in order (grown up!) PLUS fun stuff like singing more and more and more. I forgot to write here in August and nearly said hey let's scrap it who even cares then I said HEY IT'S BACK TO SCHOOL TIME what are you DOING?! Don't throw out the high hopes resolutions and dreams just cause you forgot to roll the toilet paper up when you were SUPER SUPER SUPER tired!

 

So, here I am. Wishing you all the hopes and thrills of September! Cause even if you aren't a teacher, and even if you don't have kids, we all deserve one more chance in the year to have a re-set and a looking-ahead with BIG plans.

And if we fail, well...January's just around the corner. And

there are lots of Mondays in between!

 

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