Back To School - Feedback Friday

I maintain that there are two distinct groups of parents in the world when it comes to their Back to School feelings.

Celebrators:



And criers:



It's Feedback Friday and the kids are headed back to school, how do you feel?

Happy or Sad?
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14 Days

I'm in the homestretch of summer vacation. All around me I hear mothers talking about how much they are looking forward to school starting in two weeks. They're tired, stressed, overwhelmed. I'm all those things, but still clinging to the next 14 days with my boys. I'm frantically trying to fit in all the last minute memories and fun times before they are off to spend 8 hours away from me. Off to spend all their good hours of the day with another woman who will step in where I left off.

I'm jealous of her, will they miss me? Will they remember all the good times we shared this summer or just the times I cracked under the pressure and sent everyone to their rooms for fighting? Will they wish for a fun crazy lunch or look forward to the cafeteria food? Will the accidentally call their teacher "mom", will they accidentally call me "Mrs. Dehart"? Will they talk about their fun summer with their friends, or complain about how boring it was?

I've reached the point in vacation where tears flow easily if I really stop to think. I type this frantically, trying to fit all my ideas onto the page, with one small tear escaping from the corner of my eye.

Oh, how I love those boys. I get tired and overwhelmed like everyone else, but they are my light. Their little faces, their giggles, smiles, hugs, the 20 times a day I hear "love you, mom". I'm going to miss them. I'm really going to miss them.

This will be my first year with all three boys in school all day. Yes, my Helper Munchkin is moving on, growing up. I'm clinging to the next 14 days in hopes that they will fuel me during the school year ahead. Oh, I'll see them when I volunteer in the class and pass them in the halls and after the long bus ride. But, it isn't the same. After school will be filled with sports, homework, CCD, not crafts, adventures, chats. Life will take on the harried school year vibe and I will miss them.

I'll be a displaced worker, a mom without kids...what do you do when your skills are no longer needed?

I've done this before. I know there will come a point in the school year when we will all be happy school is in session, but this is a page out of my book in this moment. In this moment I'm kissing, hugging, clinging to my last 14 days...

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