Yes, contrary to (apparently) popular believe, I can love my kids, love spending time with them, and be excited for school to start. No? You don’t think so? Well, maybe it’s my perspective on the return to school.
School is NOT…
I do not see returning to school as an opportunity to “get rid” of my kids for a few hours a day. Or to “dump them” somewhere. Not by any means. I think this is too harsh a criticism on moms that put their kids in school or look forward to the return of the school year. Are there some parents that look at it this way? I’m sure there are. Not anyone that I would look up to or model my life/attitude after. These folks have missed the boat completely.
School IS…
I welcome the return to school because I embrace routine. For myself as well as for my kiddos. As you may already know I have a child who is ADHD, one who is autistic and ADHD, and one who is lovingly nicknamed “Destructo” (and he earns it). I enjoy their sweet antics and never-ending energy. The middle of the day laughs, playtimes, and cuddles are priceless. But they all need the kind of routine (and actually thrive in it) that school offers. Try as I might, I cannot stick to a routine at home during the summer. So, a more laid back home environment and more structured school scene works for them.
School also offers them other things I cannot provide – a mix of personalities. Don’t get me wrong, we do many many playdates. But these are mostly other children that they get along with (for the most part). The lessons they learn from being in a class with children they have to LEARN to get along with are valuable and necessary. Who gets to choose their coworkers? Ever had one you had to get along with but didn’t quite mesh with? It’s a learned skill.
I also want my kids to be little lights in this world. To be salt. Does salt have more affect on it’s environment in the salt shaker (with the rest of the salt) or sprinkled elsewhere (preserving food, flavoring food, etc)? Salt is meant to leave the salt shaker and change the world around it.
In closing…
I am thrilled and a little nervous about sending my kiddos back to school. I know they will have tons of fun, some challenges to overcome (which will also be a learning experience), and lots of questions to ask about what they see and hear (things I cannot shield them from forever, but I would rather them still be under my roof where I can help them find truth rather than be floating out there on their own). So, while I am prayerfully and cautiously sending them into their respective schools, you might catch a little bit of this at my house: