Dear mom taking your kids back to school,
You’re doing great!
The overwhelm you’re feeling? Completely normal. Especially since you were just sitting poolside, reading “Where the Crawdads Sing” before you go see the movie when the siren sound of school bells suddenly plucked you out of your chaise lounge and sucked you into the whirlwind that is back-to-school.
A season that pulls you in what feels like a million different directions: School supplies, new backpacks and lunchboxes, registration, haircuts, physicals, new clothes, meet the teacher, packing up your college kid. Doing it all seems impossible.
As if that weren’t enough, you’re feeling all the emotions that come with watching your kids embark on another school year, or move away for college.
There’s excitement for their future, disbelief over how fast the time flies, sadness over how quickly they’re growing up, pride for who they are and anticipation for who their becoming, concern for the growing pains of the classroom, comfort from the predictable daily rhythm, and gratitude for some much needed time to yourself all welling up in the tender space of your mother’s heart, just waiting to burst forth in the big crescendo that is the the first day of school.
So, while you feel like you’re hanging on by a thread, not sure how you’re going to make it through, your kids see you taking care of their needs. They recognize their biggest cheerleader. They feel your support. And when the dust settles on this busy season, that’s all that matters.
If you’d like my help settling into the new school year, read:
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