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August 12, 2014 by: Shell

10 Things I Know to Be True about Back to School

1. I will be so ready and not ready at all for that first day. I’ll be ready to get back into a normal routine, with set bedtimes and waking times, a large chunk of the day where the children are at school, with no cause to tell me they’re bored. But, I’ll not be ready to let go of the lazy days of summer when we can spontaneously decide to go do something fun.

2. The school supply list will seem too long. With three kids, it will seem near impossible and I’ll wonder why I need to buy a total of 150 pencils and 90 glue sticks, along with a host of other things. Though then I’ll remember what it was like to be a teacher who constantly ran out of supplies, having to use my own money to buy them and I’ll throw in extra pencils and glue sticks and whatever else is on sale.

3. Summer clothes work as a back-to-school wardrobe. While a special, new outfit is usually in order for the first day of school, it’s still warm enough for the same shorts and tees my kids have been wearing all summer. So it’s okay not to buy a new wardrobe just because it’s a new school year. Wait until it’s colder or until they have a growth spurt.

4. The durable backpack in a fun color is always a better buy than the flimsy character one, which I’d have to replace within months. Save the fun characters for the lunchbox, folders, and notebooks.

back to school

5. I’ll worry about who my children’s teachers are. Not because my kids are special snowflakes who need to have the best, but it’s true that some teachers just aren’t the right fit for every child. And having had some amazing teachers who have loved my kids in the past, it’s a letdown when that connection isn’t there.

6. The alarm clock will not be our friend. Too many summer mornings of getting up whenever we feel like will mean it will take weeks to adjust to having to be out the door at a certain time.

7. School lunches don’t have to be a big deal. I’ll pack what my child will eat, even if it ends up varying very little from day to day. And some days, I’ll send them off with lunch money, ignoring Pinterest and its cutesy Bento lunches.

8. The drop-off and pick-up lines will be a disaster. Until everyone settles into a routine, figuring out how it works or deciding it’s not worth it and choosing the bus instead, the lines will be agonizingly long.

9. Someone will have too much homework, right from the start. It will seem excessive and maybe it will continue seeming that way all year long. But it will eventually become just another part of the daily routine.

10. I’ll be more anxious about that first day then my kids could ever be. But, they’ll be just fine.

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Comments

  1. JD @ Honest Mom says

    August 12, 2014 at 9:12 am

    Yes! So true!

    I used to buy back-to-school fall clothes for my daughter before school started. Such a mistake, cost-wise – and it always led to a disappointed little girl who was bummed that it was too hot to wear her new favorite outfit. This year I bought Lands End summer dresses on sale. My kids will be cute and comfortable, and I’ll hit the sales in September.  🙂

    PS – I’m dreading the alarm clock. Even if it’s just a little earlier than when they have to wake up for camp, it seems soooooo much more painful.

  2. Melissa Bielaczyc says

    August 12, 2014 at 9:34 am

    Thanks, you always seem to say what is on my mind, yet so much better than I ever could. 
    I am glad I am not the only one that does the same with school clothes, except my kids wear uniforms to school… 
    So my 1st grader has some clothes from last Spring, and I found some killer deals at the Outlets.
    I will NOW not WHINE about the LONG school supply list, I will by extra, being thankful that I can.
    I adore my Kindergartners teacher, my 1st grader had her last year, and she loves my kids. I have met my child’s first grade teacher, she seems like a good teacher, just in case I volunteered as the Room Mom, don’t know what that means, but if it means giving extra help, I can do that.

  3. John (Daddy Runs a Lot) says

    August 12, 2014 at 9:36 am

    Thank you for posts like these . . . I’m still a full year away from having to worry about my kids not being home (and, then, it’ll be a single child heading to kindergarten), but my mind is already overloaded when I try to process the first day.

  4. VandyJ says

    August 12, 2014 at 10:42 am

    I hit thrift stores to outfit my boys–saves a ton and it’s usually preshrunk. Then, too, boys are easier to outfit that way.
    Getting up will be a tough adjustment. But I’m looking forward to the routine again too.

  5. Amber says

    August 12, 2014 at 2:21 pm

    Oh man, I worry about the homework. Both my kids are such pains when it comes to doing homework.

    I never make cute lunches. They get normal sandwiches with chips. 

  6. Carolyn says

    August 12, 2014 at 2:50 pm

    Love this. It is all sooooo true! I so worried about Julia’s teacher yesterday because it seemed, out of the 7 texts I got, no one else had her. I mean I knew there would be other kids in her class, but not one of her friends/classmates from last year?! Finally, a text came through – she has a friend!! 😉

  7. Alison says

    August 12, 2014 at 9:39 pm

    I love that you’re not going to worry about cute and elaborate Bento box lunches – because, who’s got time for that?

    May your boys’ first days of school be awesome.

  8. Natalie says

    August 13, 2014 at 12:28 pm

    I can’t even imagine how long your supply list is!!

  9. Amber Conaway says

    August 13, 2014 at 2:00 pm

    I am pretty anxious about my son’s first day cause it will be his first day of school ever! My son starts Pre-K next week and I am a nervous wreck lol Besides being with me, or my mom while I work he just recently started classes at our church but it’s not every day like Pre-K, I’m sure he will do fine but I’m mommy I will always worry!

  10. Jaime says

    August 13, 2014 at 2:16 pm

    I make cute lunches for my son (he’s in daycare) because it’s easy, and I know he loves it. 😉 And I’m sure that when his first official school day arrives, I’ll be more anxious than him!

  11. Betsy Mitchell says

    August 13, 2014 at 2:42 pm

    Thankfully,I don’t have little ones going into school but i can only imagine the stress and excitement that goes into it.  Hope your little ones have the perfect first day. 

  12. Everyday Living with Chrys says

    August 13, 2014 at 3:34 pm

    This is the first fall husband or I haven’t been going back to school as we have both graduated. Since kiddo lives with her mom during the week, there isn’t much for us to do other than get a backpack, some outfits, and supplies.

  13. Debra says

    August 13, 2014 at 4:01 pm

    I stress out daily over packing lunches. I hate packing the same thing for my son everyday, but he’s so picky, I’m never sure what he’ll eat. I’m going to try bento box lunches for him – so hopefully they’ll be something in there he’ll eat and not starve!

  14. Isabella Grey says

    August 13, 2014 at 5:16 pm

    I kind of miss being in school. Though since I’m not a Mom, I guess I never had to deal with it from the other end. 

  15. Shop with Me Mama (Kim) says

    August 13, 2014 at 5:44 pm

    Haha totally true! I know this to be true too: I will miss my babies dearly!! Time goes by way too fast!!

  16. Veronica says

    August 13, 2014 at 8:35 pm

    I am kinda ready and kinda not at the same time. I am so lucky that my kids are old enough to do their own shopping, I give them the credit card and I am done! yay for teenagers!

  17. Rachael says

    August 13, 2014 at 9:27 pm

    A very nice thing about being an empty nester is that I don’t have to worry about back to school stuff. I do buy some stuff for my grandkids, though.

  18. Lisa says

    August 13, 2014 at 10:16 pm

    Our first day is coming up in two weeks. I’m always a mixed mess of emotions lol 

  19. Carly from The Puzzled Palate says

    August 13, 2014 at 10:34 pm

    I agree with all of the above! This tender snowflake needs to sleep in:)

  20. Jennifer says

    August 13, 2014 at 10:59 pm

    The backpack thing is so true. I’ve bought a many cheap backpack and it’s so not worth it! My husband got mad at me for spending $25 on a backpack for our 9 year old but what he doesn’t know is that last year I had to buy FOUR cheap backpacks to get her through the year. :/ So hopefully the expensive one holds up.

  21. Dawn says

    August 13, 2014 at 11:13 pm

    I always find that you think all summer you are prepared and have everything you need, but the weekend before school starts you will remember something major you forgot LOL!

  22. Chrysa says

    August 13, 2014 at 11:14 pm

    #7 is so true.  My nephew basically eats the same thing every day!

  23. Carly Anderson says

    August 14, 2014 at 12:28 am

    I love this list!  I can definitely see them all being true – I can’t wait for my daughter to start school.  🙂

  24. Melissa @ This Girl's Life Blog says

    August 14, 2014 at 10:58 am

    Yep, on all accounts. I leave the house 55 minutes early to pick up my daughter from school just so that I don’t have to wait in a line. Even leaving that early, I’m almost always 10 cars back. It sucks to have to wait but I would rather wait than have my daughter wait 30 minutes for me to get to the front of the line. My husband keeps pushing the bus but I am a paranoid mama and just don’t think I can do it.

  25. Tracey says

    August 14, 2014 at 11:32 am

    This is such a great list. I’m going to send it to a few mom friends who have kids going back to school.

  26. Krystal says

    August 14, 2014 at 12:31 pm

    I remember my backpackss always tearing when I was little. A durable one is key (even if it costs a tiny bit more).

  27. Christie says

    August 14, 2014 at 1:02 pm

    The alarm is really really going to stink come Monday for us! I hope things are going to go smoother!

  28. Dina says

    August 14, 2014 at 2:36 pm

    My kids went back this week. It’s a blessing and a curse. but I’m glad to have some quiet again. 

  29. Jeanine @ sixtimemommy.com says

    August 14, 2014 at 4:04 pm

    Yes! I know my kids are so stoked to go back, and I’m on the fence lol! Ours go back Sept 2!

  30. Erica says

    August 14, 2014 at 4:45 pm

    Yes! Absolutely! Soooo this! I agree with all that you have written here! Thank you for these important reminders as I was stressed to the max about back to school well, everything! 

  31. Theresa says

    August 14, 2014 at 5:26 pm

    AHhahaha on the cutesy bento boxes. I am not a mom who goes overboard on those cute lunches for her kids. I am frigging tired in the morning. My kids are lucky if I remember to get all 4 of their requested items in the bag. (sandwich, water, fruit, snack). It’s hit or miss, but I do pride myself on getting it right most of the time 😉

  32. Marina @ Mommy Snippets says

    August 14, 2014 at 6:37 pm

    Great tips! I don’t buy many warm weather clothes at the start of the school year. Fall comes so quickly it’s almost a waste. 

  33. Ann Bacciaglia says

    August 14, 2014 at 7:02 pm

    Having to wake up 2 teenagers and get them ready and out the door on time without any fights is the part of school mornings i hate the most. This year will be the first they will not be going to the same school .My oldest is starting college. 

  34. Beth@KCMompreneurs says

    August 15, 2014 at 12:15 am

    I can’t figure out why my sons drop off is fast but the picking up is so long.  And people will cut you off without even a look.  But so far my son is doing very well getting up to his alarm clock.

  35. Brett says

    August 15, 2014 at 1:03 am

    Number 6 is very true. Towards the end of the summer we try to get used to the school schedule before school actually starts. 

  36. Toni says

    August 15, 2014 at 6:30 am

    We are definitely not looking forward to getting up early.  Or my kids rather.  I am up early every day LOL

  37. Kendra says

    August 15, 2014 at 12:48 pm

    We’ve been back to school for two weeks and I have lived every one of these. The alarm clock, oh boy, oh boy, that’s sooo true for us. 

  38. Megan @ C'mon Get Crafty says

    August 15, 2014 at 2:12 pm

    HAHAHA – love the remark on Pinterest and the Bento boxes. More power to them, I guess, but seriously could not manage to find time for that. 

  39. Amanda says

    August 15, 2014 at 8:54 pm

    Love this! And yes, Mamma will always be way more nervous and our kiddos will be fine! 

  40. Roxanne says

    August 28, 2014 at 1:39 pm

    You know, I was complaining about how many pencils and glue sticks and such that I had to buy for my ONE child. I was. And then I read this. Thank you for the reminder about what teachers have to do when they run out of supplies, about how our schools are not getting what they NEED. And now I’m happy to help. I might email his teachers and ask if there’s anything else they need.

Welcome to Things I Can't Say: Tips and Tales from an Introverted Mom. I'm Shell. Boy mom, beach girl, bookworm, ball games, baker, brand ambassador, Thinking yoga, food, and travel should start with "b," too. Finding the easiest way to do some things while overthinking so many others. Read More…

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