Today begins the last week that my son has to go to school. What’s more, this is the last week, ever, that I have children at home, in school. Yes, Katie is away at school, and yes, john is going to go to school but they’re pretty much on their own with that. I’m just around for support purposes. I won’t have to worry about getting them out of bed in the morning, and making sure that they had money for lunch, and supper fixed and homework done and clean clothes. I won’t have to worry about going to PTA meetings, and other events at the school. My weekends will be back to being mine and I won’t have to rearrange anything for anyone but me.
My oldest went to kindergarten when he was 5 years old. That would have been in 1989. That was 28 years ago. So, I have had children in school for 28 years. Yikes! I knew that was going to be the case when I had my youngest children, but I didn’t realize what they looked like. Almost 18 years later, it looks tiring. And I am tired. I’m tired of the routine and the frustration of it all.
It seems as though when we have children, that we can’t wait to put them in school. As soon as the child is potty-trained it’s off to pre-school they go. That takes into consideration that most mothers today work outside the home and pre-school is cheaper than daycare. That might be the case but there are time issues that have to be considered.
Pre-School is great but it usually lasts only a half-day. That means that somebody has to drop the child off and then pick them up to take them to daycare. That continues, really, until the first grade. Then the child has to be picked up after school and usually stay put until Mom gets off work at 5. Then you go home, get supper, make sure homework is done, get laundry done, baths and bedtime to start it again tomorrow. you do this from the first ground through the twelfth grade. Yes, it gets easier when they don’t need daycare anymore, when they start to drive, etc. But, as the parent, you’re always waiting for the next task. Oh, and it does get worse if they decide to be involved in sports or extra-curricula activities. These activities ensure that you end up living your life for your child.
So, my youngest child will graduate from high school this Friday. Wednesday is his last day of school. Everyone will come to town to celebrate with him. I’ll be right in the middle of it, celebrating him, but also celebrating that part of my life is over.
I look forward to having my life back.
