It might not feel like it to you, if you are home-bound under heaps of snow, keeping the temps up with hot cocoa and puffy slippers, but we are in the long days of summer here. Large pitchers of icy juice are keeping constant in the fridge. The freezer is stocked with popsicles and bags of prepped frozen fruit for smoothies. The kiddie pool has been working overtime, and the hose on the trampoline is on the weekly schedule of activities. The whole family is turning a steady toffee color, and Small Sun is a little coffee bean.
The cicadas drone loudly and the children are allowed to play outside until dusk for just a couple days longer. In just a couple days more our whole life will change. Try as I might to anticipate it, I don't know how to completely prepare for something I have never done. School.
In one more week Small Sun begins kindergarten. I have layed his uniform out in my bedroom and I keep ticking off the items, trying to make sure I'm not forgetting something obvious: shirt, dress shorts, hat, bag, school shoes, sport uniform and shoes, jacket, and color coordinated socks. I run over the schedule in my head, trying to remember which child goes where first, and who gets picked up first, and how much time I have to get from school to preschool. I think about who needs what in their lunches, and morning tea boxes, and "crunch and sip" snack times. I think about which place has a nut free zone, and which is to the parent's discretion. I think about what I am expected to provide at school and preschool, and what will be provided to us.
I worry about school fees and keeping up with when they're due. I worry about turning up, some how all wrong and foolish, despite my careful checklists.
Small Sun starts kindy, and Sprout starts at a different preschool from the one Small Sun attended last year. I have never been to kindergarten, or preschool.
When I confessed my nerves to my friend, she asked if I have been having embarrassing school dreams, the type where you show up and there's a test you forgot, or you're unclothed in the hallway. As a home schooled child, I didn't experience those fears. There was no testing anxiety or forgotten gym bag.
Lots of my stress comes just from the idea of doing the "school run" twice a day, and the sheer monotony of school clothes and lunches. Then there's the expectation of volunteering in the school, helping my children make new friends, and having play dates with new families from preschool and school.
I don't actually worry if my children will succeed, because I am confident that they will. I am more concerned about me failing in some way!
So I'd love to hear some feedback. Sit back in your computer chair, all cozied up with a throw blanket and a chai latte, and tell me what saves your sanity in the school year. Lunch ideas, shopping suggestions, what to do with my new found "freedom" with only one child for school hours three days a week, or anything else you can suggest as I charter this new terrain called The School Years. (How did I get here? This life is flying by way too fast!!!)
the thing that has helped me the very most is packing lunches the night before. not that i always do it, but when i do, my mornings run so. so. much. smoother!
you will marvel at the ease of having one child!! i have one day where i just have the littlest around here, and it is so strange. i am trying to remember to do things WITH her, instead of only schlepping her around. i forget that the other two probably got a lot more attention from me, and she just gets lost in the shuffle now! however, the grocery is MUCH more navigable with just the one. as is the fabric store. :)
Posted by: lillianb | 23 January 2011 at 09:09 AM
I have one child in kindergarten and one in day care. I find that the mornings we get up early go more smoothly. I think the kids are calmer when they don't sense that they're being rushed. I agree with lilianb on the lunch idea - always pack it the night before!
Posted by: shannon2818 | 23 January 2011 at 10:46 PM