School's In!!

Well, we have hit that time of the year when all the kids are back in school.  As a mom, it gives you mixed emotions.  If you are working mom, there is some relief that you can settle in a little with respect to daycare.  The kids are back in school and during those hours you can go to work with a clear mind, not worrying about who will watch them that day.  Please do not misunderstand.  I am not equating daycare with school.  There is a lot of good work going on in those classrooms.

If you are a stay at home mom, you go through a lot of different emotions too.  Some of it depends on your "normal" life.  It always amazes me how sending one child out the door can change the personalities of any children left at home.  Suddenly your work load gets cut by an illogical percentage.  One child out of three can cut your work load by three quarters!  Do the math - no wait, you can't!  It doesn't make sense.  But a lot of life doesn't make sense, does it?!  Instead, just take comfort that the children still remaining at home will still maintain the noise level of the original group!

Now, if you are at that stage where all of your kids go to school.....now that is a whole different ballgame!  Suddenly you are in a quiet house.  You pick up things (clothes, toys, etc.) and an hour later you are shocked that these things have remained in the same place!  Sometimes the crazy part of you thinks about making a mess, just because you are so used to it!  So now what?  They are at school.  Do I dance?  Do I take a hot shower?  Do I go shopping alone?  So many choices!!!!  And then there is a bit of sadness, I am doing things alone.....

Whether you are a working mom or a stay at home mom, there is a feeling of pride.  The little person or persons that you brought into this world are heading out into it, equipped with what you have taught them and given to them.  They will come home a little wiser every day.  Take comfort in knowing that your job is never done (it really is a comfort).  You will spend the rest of their lives teaching them, advising them and loving them.  Even when they push you away, believe me, they still need you.  Even when they grow up, believe me, they still need you.

And certainly, we need to feel thankful for those wonderful people who have professionally committed themselves to educating our children.  God bless them for giving us that break every day from 8:00 to 3:00 for nine months!   God bless them for sharing knowledge and skills for us to build on!  God bless them for listening to tattle tales all day long!!!!! from two dozen children. 

And, how about those bus drivers!  They turn their backs to 60 children every day and guide their huge vehicles on a route picking them up and delivering them safely to school!  When my kids rode the bus, they were always greeted with a smile and started their day pleasantly, as opposed to me yelling at them to get moving!!  And even at school the teachers and ancillary staff always have smiles for the kids, no matter what else is going on. 

So, whether you are home now or at work, take a deep breath knowing that your children are learning and are safe.  Have one more cup of coffee and get on with the business of your day. Look forward to 3:00 and hearing about their day.  Give them a hug and tell them you love them when they leave and when they come home. 

Thank God every single day for blessing you with the chance to be a mom and make the most of your blessings.  These days will pass quickly, so cherish them!!!  I pray that all of these children, young and old have a safe school year!