So I've only been the Mom of a school kid for 19 school days, but I'm feeling worn out!
(Imagine how my kid feels)
First, this school stuff is EVERY day. I knew that in my mind, but after picking up, dropping off, doing homework, packing a lunch, etc. I'm feeling tired. And there is no end in sight. The school schedule rules.
Second, what do you do with all of the stuff they send home? I'm used to an art project a week from preschool that I put up on the wall, but every day she comes home with multiple worksheets, fliers, fundraisers, notes, books to read, a homework packet, etc. Any best practices for handling all of this paper??? (I can't imagine the volume of this stuff with more than 1 kid)
Third, I have abandoned the illusion that Moms with kids in school have a whole free day to themselves. First, I have my other two girls to attend to, and second, I spend most of the day time hours doing my chores, shopping, and tasks so that I'll be free after school to help with piano and homework and have a little time to play with the girls together. Having kids in school doesn't mean a picnic for the Mother.
Fourth, before having a school girl, the afternoon hours between 3 and 6 often dragged on. I'd spend the morning with the girls doing an activity, attending a class, or visiting a park and then we'd eat lunch, they'd have some down time while I got my chores done. After that they'd play some more, but by 4:00 we were all out of ideas of things to do and there was still daylight left. Now I feel like the hours from 3-6 move like lightening as the girls have a little time to play, we make and eat dinner, and get things done. Boring afternoons are over. (Not to mention what you do if they are involved in after school sports/dance/piano/gym/activities.)
Fifth, it's goodbye to my carefree days of being in charge of the daily schedule (or lack thereof). I am now a subject of the school district. You think that for a girl who loves structure and routine I'd be happy to accept this externally imposed regimen, but I'm missing those carefree days of planning my own schedule.
That said, I feel like I made the best of the first 5 years and thoroughly enjoyed planning out our days and having adventures together. The adventures will continue, but now I've got to learn to march to the beat of the school drum.
17 comments:
I know exactly how you feel. The scary thing for me is Joaquin starts kindergarten next year. That means all my kids will be in school all day. I'm not ready for that stage either. Time goes way too fast.
Enjoy them while you can.
well said! I haven't felt rested since, the kids started back!
Yep. My day is pretty much over when the kids get home from school because there is SO much that we need to do.
How do you like the school and who is her teacher? Is it full day?
can anyone say home school?
You are scaring me! I am already freaked out that I have a kindergardener next year. And I hate my schedule being dictated for me. Yuck. Will Ellie be in preschool again next year or Kinder with Sydney?
I'm trying to cherish my open scheduled days for a couple more years. All my friends with school age kids tell me the same thing. Let us know if you come up with a solution for all that paperwork!
haha Thanks for sharing, Jordan. This makes me want to cherish these days I have right now. I'll think of this post when I'm wishing I had "more to do" during those afternoon hours that drag on and on. You'll have to share more of your wisdom with me and things you wish you knew when you were a mother of just two! :)
Ah Jordan! Good to know. I'm exhausted from just reading about this! I am definitely going to take advantage of my carefree days left.
Ehh and the paper... I don't even want to think about that!!
Amen amen and AMEN!!! Well put my friend stole the thought right out of my head and made it sound just write on paper, well internet "paper".
oh and P.s. I chuck er I mean recycle all the paper that comes home, important notes go right smack dab on the front of the fridge, art work goes in a pile that i take pictures of at the end of the year then yes chuck and everything else is garbage.
Ah, to be a Kinder mom again :)JK. It gets better. You get in to the routine. It only gets busier, but you learn how to handle it. I agree with the recycle and take pictures. I had to make the rule of 2 items per kid on the fridge.
AMEN, sister!! I have two in school and I am doing more homework then I think I did in my entire college career! Just as an idea, I keep art projects in a box throughout the year. At the end of the year, I kep 5-10 of the cutest, pictures of 2nd place (5-10) and throw the rest away. I send some of them to grandparents throughout the year as well. Fridge work has a shelf life of 1 week and then it goes in the garbage as well.
You'll get into a rhythm and all will be well. Being a Mom is the best and your job description changes without notice. You're doing a GREAT job!
It is so true!! I won't tell you that it only gets worse! ;) I can't believe how much busier we are with 2 girls in school, soccer, ballet, etc. with their own schedules, demands and papers coming in from all sides. I don't even want to think about how it will be with even more kids!
You will get into a rhythm after awhile and it will get easier... but not less busy ;) I throw every single piece of paper I can away. I put the note on my calendar, or take care of what we need to do with the paper immediately and then THROW IT OUT. I keep the really cute school art stuff, but throw the others out too. I figure if you keep it all, it's overwhelming and not special. We have a box for each girl with the special ones.
Hang in there, you'll figure out the systems that work best for you and then you'll be giving out all of the advice! :)
Good post, Jord. Whatever you do, don't do home school. That is quite a weird practice, particularly where you have a good public school system. If you do home school, you might as well do home church, as well. You do become somewhat of a slave to the school district, though.
Well said, Jordan. It does get to be crazy. I am not a fan of homework. They have chores when they get home and homework gets in the way of that! The paper stuff kills me too. I can't keep everything! And I feel so guilty throwing all their cute stuff away. But all it will do is collect dust in some bin and require more maintance than it deserves to pack around everywhere you ever live. I have a box of stuff my mom saved from when I was little that sits in a corner of my shed and takes up valuable space.
Just a thought. I have decided to start taking pictures of art projects or fantastic papers and then keep them electronically in a folder on the desktop. It saves a lot of space ;)
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