Back to school tips/thoughts race through this seasoned parent’s mind. Every year the first day of school is a mixed array of rushing to get school supplies, schedules, clothes, haircuts and adjusting the summer routine (or lack of) to a more regimented school year routine.

Back-to-School-itis

You and your student-child have gone through all the clothes, sorted, gifted, and donated all outgrown, outdated and overused items. The stores have been purged and your car trunk filled with beautiful new clothes, pencils, notebooks, backpacks and a little something you sneaked in for yourself.

Back-to-School-itis is hurting!

The symptoms of Back-to-School-itis:

Empty wallet, sore feet, headache, tearfulness, excitement, dread, anticipation, camera attachment disorder and reminiscent melancholy.

Diagnosis:

Diagnosis by another experienced sufferer who knows too well the ailment. They too suffered through the expense, shopping, fatigue, and conflicted emotions of the beginning of the school year.

Treatment for the suffering Parent

Take pictures of all the moments of your child growing up and moving from year to year in school as they outgrow clothes, grades, and sometimes you.

Get an extra hug and squeeze every chance you get, out of sight of your child’s friends.

Enjoy the extra free time! Time to get out and join that club or gym you have been eyeing. Treat yourself to a new book, girlfriend lunch or bubble bath. Your child is growing up and think of all the things you are happy about. Take a walk and breathe while you think of how lucky you are to have the best kid in the world.

Why this too shall pass

Your little munchkin is growing up and you are there every moment of the way. What a great thing, teaching, crying, laughing and remembering all the special moments. Back-to-School-itis passes and the school year routine happens, homework, after-school activities, play dates, bake sales, fundraisers and teacher conferences confirm you have recovered and on your way to another successful year.

by Jackie Moore Wagner

Picture by Pixabay