Third Day of School

Photo by Georgie Cobbs on Unsplash

This post was written on Tuesday, the actual third day of school.

As I sit at my computer drinking my second coffee of the day realizing this is my first quiet morning of the school year. I dropped my now 9th grader and kindergartner at school. I stayed long enough for my kindergarten to go in his class willingly then I left. We had agreed the day before that today I would drop him off and leave.

When I got home I was on the phone making arrangements for multiple renovation-related things and didn’t realize I was actually home alone (well, if you don’t count the guy painting on the ground floor)

I don’t think I’ve been home alone once all summer long. I made myself a cup of coffee, ate a plain bagel, and sat down to get some work done. that’s when I realized: I’m home alone! Something I’ve missed all summer long. I think one of the things I enjoy about my quiet mornings, isn’t the quiet. My kids aren’t always very noisy, what I like is that I can sit and focus on my own tasks without being interrupted, and without feeling guilty. I’m not thinking of all the things I should be doing with the kids. I know they are all safe at school busy learning new things and having fun (hopefully) with their friends. I can focus on myself without the guilt. It is a huge weight lifted off my shoulders. I know all parents, whether you’re a stay at home, work at home or work out of the home parent, there is always that guilt. Even when you are working to provide for your children, you still feel that guilt for not spending more time with your children.

At least now that school has started, I can use my mornings to get things done, so I can give them my undivided attention when they get back from school so I can here about their day, have lunch together and help with homework when I’m needed.

I confess even though I was worried how I was going to manage a new school year when I already feel so drained, I know that school does give me a break so I can be more present and focused when they are home.

I try my best to use my mornings to get things done but also to recharge so I have the energy they need when they are home. present I have plenty of busy mornings, running errands and working around the house. I try to balance between productivity and recharging. Some mornings I nap, some I sit on the sofa with a book and a cup of coffee. I usually have some puzzle time with breakfast. All small things to help me recharge.

As we start a new school year with new milestones. My youngest is in kindergarten, he will be my last kindergartener. My oldest is in the 11th grade, which means he has two years until he graduates from high school and move on to college. My third is in middle school. How do they grow so fast? My 9th grader, as I mentioned, moved to a new school and is slowly getting to know her new classmates and adjusting. My fourth is in the 5th grade, which ads new subjects to his curriculum. Each child has their own milestones, challenges they will face through the year, I will try to use my quiet mornings to get thing's done and recharge so I am present and there when they need me.