The end of August means its back-to-school time for many. With three kids, now nearly 15, 13 and 10 – I should have this back-to-school crazy mastered by now. But I SO don’t. Each year, I strive to be super organized. I want the kids to feel confident in their preparation. I want to make sure every school supply is purchased, the perfect new pair of shoes and backpack is ready to go, and the summer we leave behind is full of blissful memories.
In reality, while the boxes all get checked – why does it have to be so hard?? Here are my top questions for back-to-school planning.
Why on earth would schools provide a list for supplies (for one child!) that nearly fills a cart at Office Depot?
Why would a child need to go to 3 – count them 3 – stores to find the perfect array of school supplies?
Why do we need a protractor, scientific calculator and ruler every single year? Where do the other ones go? Are they ever even used?
How many pens, colored markers, dry erase markers, #2 pencils, and other writing utensils are lost each year? Or thrown away in wild abandon at the end of the school year? And then we buy another mountain.
Why do we always wait to the last minute for our back to school reading? Why does it feel like such a chore?
Why do schools require a mountain of paperwork and forms – for each child – every single year? They’re the same kids. Same information. Shouldn’t there be one master system that doesn’t require you to re-enter everything?
Why isn’t there a store that specializes in “cool” uniforms? At least the basics like khaki pants and shorts?
Why am I never prepared with the obligatory amazing photo of each child and family photo for some back-to-school project? As the kids get older, image approval is increasingly challenging. I should work on this in January.
How does – overnight – the family calendar look like a disaster? With added practices, try-outs, curriculum nights, school BBQs, open houses, orientations, and other “fun” festivities?
Why don’t I squeeze in pediatrician, eye doctor, and orthodontist appointments some other time than the madness which is August?
All of these questions, of course, are beyond first world problems. But it is chaos. Every single year. And from talking with my mom friends. I’m not alone. There’s a reason many of us have huge celebrations on the first day of school. I’m looking forward to this years.
One last question – for the first time, I’ll have three kids in three different schools – with three different start dates. Sounds like I can look forward to three different celebrations, right?
The Redefining 