The View From Here – Back To School For Some, And Routine!

Just checking in to see how y’all doing right now.  Parents, I’m checking on you to see how you’re doing after dropping off your kids for the first time – either kindergarten or daycare, or college or university.  How are you holding up?  You doing okay?  I know those firsts are TOUGH. And we are never ready, no matter what we believe or tell ourselves.  Letting go of our kids is HARD.  I haven’t had to make the college or university drop off yet.  My kids are still living at home – but it’s looming.  Because next year both my girls might leave the nest at the same time.  I’m mentally trying to prepare myself for that right now because I know it’s going to be hard.

I am writing this from my home office – where – for the first time in months – there is nothing but silence.  No kids in the house.  Nothing.  Even the dog is asleep.  Strange.

My youngest is in her final year of high school with big plans to get away from home as soon as she’s done.  GASP.  You could at least pretend you don’t want to leave home.  For your parents sake.  My oldest daughter is starting at Lambton College but has plans to transfer to another school next year.  Maybe if the cost of post secondary education wasn’t so freaking expensive – she’d already be gone.

I see my kids go off to school today and I’m anxious for them.  I feel it.  The nervous energy.  Every year is the same thing.  I seem to pick up on their fears.  It transports me back in time to when I was in school.  Every year slightly terrifying.  Wondering if you’d have friends in your class.  Who would you talk to.  Would you have to eat lunch alone?  All the things.  And every year I feel it when I see my kids getting ready to start another year, a new chapter.  I try not to relay my nervousness onto them, but sometimes I can’t help it.

It’s probably why I cleaned my house like a mad woman the past week.  Even the silverware drawer got cleaned and organized.

I was listening to a Mel Robbins podcast this morning and it was a relief to know that I’m not the only one who picks up on her kids energy – both excitement and fear and everything in between.  For everyone going through change or transition – this is a really good listen.  It doesn’t have to be back-to-school related.

I hope it’s a great back-to-school for the kiddos today.  Parents, sending you big hugs to help you through the letting go.   And letting you know you aren’t alone as we navigate this first week of back to routine.  It’s going to be an adjustment – this first week – as we all settle back into some sort of routine again.  With bedtimes, and back to school lunches, and homework, and catching buses – and all the stuff that comes with it.

I may not be as busy a mom as I used to be – my girls are old enough to do things for themselves.  But I do love the feeling that comes with back to school.  I love new books and pencils and pens.  I love new “fits” – even if they are for more seasonal weather and not 100 degrees like we’re seeing/ feeling today.

I love having a schedule and routine.  I’m sure it will just take some time to settle in.

Categorised in: Afternoons

This post was written by Carrie Buchanan