I think it’s safe to say that many of us parents have felt our kids’ energy levels reach new heights during the summer. While we might be ready to send them back to school, the reality of it can be a bit daunting. So, here are ten reasons I’m not quite prepared for the school year to kick off.
1. Alarm Clocks Are Back
Oh, the dreaded alarm clock! After blissfully adjusting to a schedule of late nights and leisurely mornings, I now have to wake up at the crack of dawn again. My kids have mastered the art of self-sufficiency in the mornings—turning on the TV and pouring cereal without waking me. Now, I have to sacrifice my precious “me time” and rise early. Where’s the justice in that?
2. Morning Madness
Getting my son out of bed in the morning is like a scene from an action movie—there’s drama and tension, and you never know what might explode. Once I manage to pry him from his cozy bed, he stumbles to the table, looking like a zombie. I’m left practically force-feeding him breakfast to prevent a meltdown later. And don’t even get me started on dressing him—thankfully, I created a chart to help him remember that underwear goes on first!
3. Lunch Making
I find myself preparing lunch for my son before I’ve had my coffee fix. While I know the cafeteria food isn’t exactly gourmet, I can’t help but worry about what they serve. I mean, if my son’s ADHD kicks in after a lunch of pizza and chocolate milk, it might become a disaster. And yes, I should probably prep his lunch the night before like those organized super-moms do, but let’s be real—I’m just not that on top of things.
4. Grooming Pressure
During the carefree days of summer, we can let hygiene slide a bit. But with school starting, I feel the judgment from teachers and fellow parents if my son’s hair is messy or he’s not squeaky clean. Summer’s excuse of “he’s been swimming” won’t fly anymore.
5. Shoe Struggles
After spending the summer in flip-flops and Crocs, my son is going to have to readjust to real shoes, which he insists feel like torture devices. “Something’s pinching me, Mommy!” is a phrase I expect to hear on repeat until he gets used to wearing proper footwear again.
6. Jam-Packed Schedules
The transition from the lazy days of summer to the frantic school year is exhausting just thinking about it. With after-school activities, meetings, and deadlines piling up, I can hardly keep track of everything. I long for the spontaneous fun that came with summer.
7. Homework Returns
Just when I thought we were done with homework, here it comes again. After spending six hours in school, my son still has to sit down and tackle additional assignments at home. It’s like a cruel twist of fate for parents who thought they had escaped this reality!
8. Bedtime Routines
With the school year comes the necessity of a consistent bedtime. No more late-night “if you scratch my back, you can stay up longer” negotiations. Kids need sleep to function, and it’s on me to enforce that.
9. Fundraising Fatigue
And then there are the fundraisers. Here’s a hundred bucks, school. Now, please leave me alone! It feels like a never-ending cycle of donations and drives.
10. Playmate Dilemma
When the older kids head back to school, the younger ones lose their playmates. This can be a blessing if sibling squabbles are frequent, but for my two children, who are inseparable, it means endless hours of “My Little Pony” scripts that I must follow. I can’t help but feel like I’m auditioning for a role in a show I didn’t sign up for.
And if I’m being completely honest, I’ll miss my son when he’s at school. Despite the chaos and noise, having both kids around is something I genuinely cherish.
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In summary, as the new school year approaches, it brings a mix of excitement and anxiety. While we look forward to some quiet time, the reality of morning routines, homework, and structured schedules can be overwhelming. But ultimately, the joy of seeing our kids thrive is worth it!
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