The Upside of NOT Going Back to School

SCHOOL IS BACK in session. Our family with two young children will experience no change in schedule, but for many families it is a significant change to the daily routine of life. Because next year our family will be part of that shift, I'm observing these changes in routines and the transition to another chapter in children’s lives. I'm always surprised how early the school year arrives so I'm taking advantage of the upside of not going back to school just yet.

Ignore that school bell, little one, just keep on playing...
 

This past week we attended a graduation to kindergarten hosted by the daycare our oldest son attends. I watched parents with tears in their eyes realizing their young offspring were growing up, lamenting how quickly this time had passed. I also saw parents with large smiles and bright faces ready for the next phase in their child’s life. It is not a coincidence that these parents had older children that had already made this transition and they were less uncertain about the unknowns. I heard one mother of a graduate say “I think I am even sadder about my little girl leaving this school than she is.”

My co-worker is celebrating the first year that his daughter in 1st grade and his son in 3rd grade are now on the same daily school schedule. For him the start of school is the end of the summer months juggling daily and weekly schedules of sports camps, family outings, and family schedules for care while his partner and he maintain full time jobs. He appears to be relieved and thankful that school has started.

Not a student yet,  just passing through...
 

Our family life continues to be in a very demanding day-to-day schedule of logistics not having childcare for our youngest son. My partner and I persevere as much as we can in our jobs but we are spent and our boys are giving us signs that they are ready for a predictable routine. School, and the stability of a schedule sounds inviting, but I know that teacher conferences, teachers in-service days, and other school closures can provide just as challenging circumstances. On the flip side of this is the fact that in just one short week we are packing up the family for a week-long trip to British Columbia, Canada without the need to consider time outside of the classroom. I recognize that this is a fleeting family luxury.

Yes, this plane looks pefect for a last-minute family getaway...
 

Our days of being tied to a school calendar are now just a year away and I am happy to wait for this next stage. I look forward to this new routine and also not having the expensive of childcare but I am not that naïve to know that it will arrive with its own set of challenges.  This is one of the truths of parenting that I have discovered in my limited experience. Every stage of raising children comes with challenges and rewards. I am just trying to overcome this week’s challenges while recognizing the endless rewards.

You can keep up with Steve and his family of four over at AKDad.com.