Sad - school starting next week

[linders]

In every group of friends this week, the moms sound so gleeful about back-to-school next week. More time to work out! A clean house! Projects to do! Coffee get-togethers! Working moms I can understand - summer means finding camps or other care arrangements out of the school routine. But those who don't work?

 

Maybe because we homeschooled until last year, but I love time with my boys. Games, projects together, toad-hunting late at night, garden work (perhaps not their favorite), reading, Khan Academy, watching movies, even all the car time (and talk time) as I drive them to various activities. Isn't anyone else sad about school resuming?  :sad:

[Acorn]

Starts tomorrow here. I could only sleep four hours. I feel so sad.

[Mabelen]

I always have mixed feelings but I tend to love the summer months more than the school year. I love being with my kids, I hate the early morning rush and I am not in love with being tied up by homework. My kids are old enough now that I can run errands without having to drag them with me but I like to be able to meet up with friends for lunch with no guilt while they are at school.

[SKL]

It's all a blur for me, LOL.  Summer, fall, it doesn't matter.  For me, things don't settle down until about mid-January.  :P  I've learned to accept it.  (I'm a working mom and usually have an out-of-town conference, a huge 2-month project due in the fall, several fall /early winter birthdays, and of course the holidays, which tend to include international travel.)

 

For us, we have 2 weeks before school starts.  I kinda wish we had more time to finish the goals I had for summer, before the school takes over the majority of our waking hours.  I wish our house construction project was going to be done in time for the kids to move into their new bedrooms before school starts.  I wish I was ahead instead of behind on my work, so I could relax and focus more on my kids these last two weeks.

 

But yes, I look forward to having the girls on mostly the same schedule every day.  Not having to put so much thought and time into where they ought to be at what time, and how that's going to affect my work and my ability to manage the construction stuff.  Having them on a routine that they can predict and largely manage themselves.  Even just being able to have regular healthy-ish meals.  It's for them as much as for me that I look forward to the routine.

[debi21]

I'm sad. My little boy starts 1st grade next week. I find myself doubting the benefit of all day in school for him, feeling he's not ready for such a long day with not enough play time, and thinking about the school's ability to really leverage the time they have with him to maximize his learning. I find myself regretting the things I didn't do with him this summer, and thinking about the acceptability of taking days off to do field trips just the two of us. I am already mentally rebelling against the homework he hasn't even received yet.

[Word Nerd]

I always have mixed feelings this time of year as a work-outside-the-home mom—but so do my kids. They started school today, and everyone agrees it seems way too early. I think the annual "I'm so sad that other moms don't love their kids as much as I do because they're happy school is starting" sentiments are as tiresome as the dumb "it's the most wonderful time of the year" commercials and Facebook photos showing moms jumping for joy while the kids have sad faces. 

[kentuckymom]

Yes, I'm always have mixed feelings when school starts, but I'm more sad than happy. I really love our relaxed summer schedule, In a way it's nice to have more time get stuff done without having to take two kids along, but I still have a preschooler, so I don't actually get seven hours a day by myself on school days anyway. I like the idea on of my friends had, which is completely impossible. She said she wishes she could send her kids off the school for about two weeks at a time so she should get things done and then home for a month. I do like having some time for myself on occasion, but I don't cheer when back to school time starts.

[blue daisy]

I'm sad too.  My kids went back a couple of weeks ago.  I'd love to HS, but DH is not on board yet, so they go to school.  I still have my youngest at home, but it's different having just her.  I miss the big kids.

[Momma2Luke]

I'm sad here!! My Grade 4 son is starting school for the very first time... he's been homeschooled up till now... and he's my only child.  I'm going to miss his constant chatter (from sun up to sun down!!)....  our school board is poised for a strike and I'm actually hoping for a strike, just so I'll have a few more days/weeks with him! 

[Guest Poline]

I think that every working mom is glad when school starts because they have lots of work to do :) When summer comes I always spend time to find a good summer camp or another alternative for my pretty boy.