Back to school celebration?? Is that when moms get together for a pool day after dropping kids off for 8 hours at school? Not at our house it isn’t. (Although I wouldn’t argue with an adult only pool party.)
For my kids back to school this year means a kick off day of partying with their friends, swimming, a giant DIY slip and slide, and hanging out with friends. Only part of the kids even realized this was the day their public school friends went back to school. We are out of the loop that way.
My kids have been lucky to have some good friends leave the system when we did. They have met some kids along the way They have friendships that we celebrate and hope last a lifetime. When they get together in a group it is so gratifying to see kids of such a variety of ages playing and interacting.
No More Back to School Dread
As a mama this little back to school celebration means a bit more to me. I always dreaded back to school. It hurt my heart to know what was coming. I like my kids. (At least most of the time.) Time with them is important and their time together is just as valuable.
For years we gathered our supplies, bought new shoes, and jumped on the treadmill. Rushed early mornings, homework, rushing to eat dinner and get to bed early so we could start over the next day. Sign. Us. Up. Its what everyone did so it must be in the best interest of my kids and our family, right?
We made our decisions. For now we left the rat race There is no open house in a million degree gym that smells of puberty or kindergarten meet the teacher night but there is still a sense of excitement. A new year, another year of growth, an inch or two taller, a new batch of books. All so exciting and deserving of celebration. I want my kids to get excited too. What better way to celebrate than a house full of kids ??
A Back to School Celebration
We started our school year a week before local schools. We started our first day off with some new back to school supplies. These little bags don’t contain anything like what is required for school but just a few little things special to my kids. Everyone got a new “school ” shirt, paper, & pencils. Someone got a journal, a new sports water bottle, a writing prompt book, a travel mug, a sticker book. Everyone’s bag wasn’t the same Each had something that was special to them, that might make their day a little brighter.
We had a “soft” start for school, just starting with a couple of subjects. I’ve been through this part before. Starting is hard. I try to remember that we will find a routine. We will remember how to go from summer to a “somewhat kinda sorta schedule.” But it is still harder than I remember. It helps that this isn’t the first year and everything we do isn’t for the first time ever.
Even on hard days I’m glad. I’m glad to give my kids the gift of time together. Time to play, and cook, and make. Even time to argue, and complain of boredom, and whine that life is hard. It’s all valuable. It may not be easy but it’s all good.
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