When September arrives, it is official that summer break is over. It is bittersweet isn’t it? As of today, my children are back in school. School began the third week of August for some kids and for a lapse in my better judgment; I thought that was just too soon. I know better now. Boy was I elated to have some time for me. The funny thing is I had no idea how to act. Talk about a fish out of water. My first thought was, what is going on with me? I sighed in relief I took a long look around and realized my house was very quiet and it was a nice not to hear anything but the outside noises of birds chirping and the cars driving down the street. There was no arguing no bantering of where we could go or what we should do or even what we were going to eat. I was in a place where there was peace all around me. I felt like a Zen monk I had time to meditate if that were my wish. I could do Tai Chi or even Zumba and not being peeked at, stared at, or asked in that I know all voice, “Mom, What are you trying to do?” I whispered to God that I was grateful my children have a place to go and I have my life back again. I thought for the first time I could unwind and slowly let my sanity return to where it should be and begin getting back to a normal routine. For the last eighty days, there was no such thing as any kind of routine.
I am now home and I am looking around. Today is about me. I am a free woman until I have to go to work and then as you know your time is not your own. That is somewhat like summer break is with my kids. I am usually so thrilled when summers is here and bask in that feeling of having nothing to do and no more routines. I have come to the unpleasant task of telling myself that routine is good and it keeps me sane. There are reasons for rules or else there would be anarchy and that would make for an unruly life. This past summer break all bets were off. There were no rules enforced. I had begun a new job so the house was up for grabs. It seemed like those college days of eating anything and keeping crazy hours and those zany high jinks gong on. That was how it was all summer long. My kids had been crazy with stretching the bedtime hours and sleeping in on some days too. I paid for that broken rule big time. We did fun stuff where we had no schedules so we played games, watched movies, and there were a day or two that we stayed in our jammies all day.
I have to say today is the first day I recaptured my sanity. There are rules being imposed. It is fun to get up with the sun and eat a sensible breakfast and just being on a schedule seems to make me less crazy. My kids have adapted and are more enjoyable to be around. Those days of bantering are over for now and we are even smiling at one another across the breakfast table.
Today, I actually was alone for more than several hours. I met a friend for breakfast and talked about adult stuff without having to worry about my children interrupting or telling me with their eyes how bored, they are.
School can be tedious at times but I love that school has us all on a normal routine and gets me to enjoy my children in small doses. It makes for happier children and a happy Mommy.
However, I am looking forward to next summer…
