I’ve been eagerly waiting for this moment. It feels like I’m in a long-distance race, tripping over my own feet repeatedly, yet powered by the thought of a delightful reward at the end. That reward? Hours of solitude and perhaps a midday margarita, if I’m lucky. Trust me, it’s a prize worth salivating over. The finish line is in sight.
Back-to-school season is nearly upon us. Some of you might already be knee-deep in it, while others, like myself, are savoring the last weeks of summer break. We still have time to tackle that ambitious summer bucket list I plastered on the fridge back in May. You know the one—filled with “SUMMER ADVENTURES” and activities that include amusement park visits, movie outings, lemonade stands, pottery painting, crafting, cooking nights, and even hiking! That planner was a dreamer, and let’s just say it lost its job by week three of summer—turns out pottery was the breaking point (pun intended).
At the start of summer, we were all about those bucket list ideas. Our creativity flourished with crafts made from paper plates and pipe cleaners, inspired by our Pinterest boards. We indulged the kids with candy during our matinee viewing of “Trolls,” and we packed up beach gear for a week in sunny Florida. We even bared our muffin tops at the splash park and made cannonballs at the pool because, why not?
But let’s be honest: summer can be exhausting. The sweltering days at the park, the endless whining at the pool, sibling squabbles from dawn till dusk, and the constant “I’m bored” chants from kids who clearly don’t understand true boredom. Not to mention the continuous meal prep for what feels like an eternity. It’s become a marathon I’m ready to wrap up.
So, as we count down the days until we can send our kids off with their shiny new backpacks filled with neatly sharpened pencils and meticulously gathered supplies, I can’t help but feel a sense of relief. The thought of sitting by the pool alone in those final summer days is blissful. I could even treat myself to a massage and enjoy an iced mocha—alone! My heart skips a beat just imagining the prospect of an afternoon nap in the blissful quiet of a home devoid of chaos.
However, this is where the love-hate relationship begins. With every new school year comes a wave of dread, starting with the homework. I already feel the anxiety creeping in about the fifth-grade math my son will be bringing home—fractions, geometry, and complex word problems. I can only hope he has some wine ready for himself.
And let’s not forget about the early morning alarm clock that will rouse us at 6 a.m. to get four kids up, dressed, fed, and off to school by 7 a.m. The thought of packing lunches for four kids every day for nine months is enough to make me hyperventilate.
Back-to-school also transforms us into the ultimate Taxi Mom. It’s time to clean out the minivan because we’ll be living out of it for the next nine months. School drop-offs, pick-ups, soccer practices (for four different teams), piano lessons, gymnastics—some nights, I feel like I’m just a few miles from driving into a ravine.
And perhaps the toughest part for those of us in the northern regions is the arrival of cold weather. The crisp September mornings, rainy October days, and frigid December mornings when finding four winter coats and mismatched mittens feels like an insurmountable task. Just thinking about it is exhausting.
Suddenly, those sweaty park days and popsicles on the swing set don’t seem so bad after all. Yes, summer is winding down. We’re nearing the finish line, and while we’re tired, a new kind of exhaustion looms ahead.
Let’s soak in these last 90-degree days, chalk the driveway until it’s bursting with color, let the kids stay up late to catch fireflies, and make one last cannonball splash. We can make it through this, moms. Stay focused on that finish line!
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Summary
As back-to-school season approaches, parents experience a bittersweet mix of excitement and dread. While the promise of solitude and a break from daily chaos is enticing, the looming challenges of homework, early mornings, and cold weather can be overwhelming. Embrace the final days of summer and stay focused on the rewards that come with the new school year.