School started a few weeks ago, and I haven’t stopped moving since then. I was completely blindsided by the time and energy required to parent an elementary schooler. Lunches to make, forms to sign, alarm clocks to set.
During the first couple of weeks, when friends asked how I was doing, I shared that I was struggling with the hectic pace. These experienced mommas looked at me soberly and offered, “It doesn’t get better.”
Well, that was not the comfort I sought. Instead of sympathy, these friends offered me truth, which in the long run is infinitely more valuable. Even if it stings a bit right now.
So I’m looking at our schedule as the new normal and deciding how to cope. What can I take out of our schedule? What can I delegate? Are there expectations I need to surrender?
In some ways, I feel like a parent of a newborn again, struggling to keep swimming as circumstances change the moment I adjust. I’ll be honest, guys — right now coping looks a lot like procrastinating and eating way too much sugar. For now I’m trying to be gentle with myself and my family as we learn to navigate these new waters. I’m sure we’ll figure out how to sail eventually (just in time for the wind to change).
I heat you and we’re only in a 3 day a week PreK!! I feel like a lot of it is getting up so darn early and having to hit he ground running. We aren’t early risers but even if we were it’s still different when you have to race…It looks like you can walk, that’s nice for pick up. Are they kidding with these pick up lines at the end of the day? 30 minutes in the car, really?
The new pre-K hub that E is attending has breakfast and lunch provided by Metro everyday for every student. I can’t even tell you how much easier this makes my mornings! Hang in there, Mama! You’ll find your stride-as us mama’s always do.
I love your heart. You do a wonderful job of keeping the main thing, the main thing. (Soon I’ll be available to be more helpful and to offer some breaks). You are all in our prayers as you work as a family to find your way to work through the challenges to the blessings.