Back to School 2023

Another school year is upon it and this week felt like a pretty huge transition back into the swing of things.  The kids all seem happy with their teachers and classes which is awesome.  The drop off and pick up wasn't to terrible, but the afternoons were hard.  So much needs to happen in such a little amount of time between sports and dinner and working on the house and trying to get back into the routine of reading and normal bedtimes.  It feels like any little thing can send the whole evening into a tailspin but I'm trying to do a better job of reminding myself that it will get easier.  We will fall back into a good rhythm.  It just takes awhile and even if it's not perfect that's okay.  While school is important it isn't the MOST important thing and we will all be okay.

Sadie (13) 8th Grade

Wyatt (12) 7th Grade

Cooper (10) 5th Grade

Hazel (8) 3rd Grade

Evie (6) 1st Grade

Aubrey and Maddie are adjusting pretty well to having the others into school.  At least for now they're so happy to have ALL the Barbies to themselves. :)

It's our tradition to go out to eat the Friday of the first week of school to celebrate making it through week 1 and to try to intentionally take time together to hear about the kids' first week.  This year we went to Turner Pizza which was delicious. 

Aubrey

Maddie

These 3 especially are looking way to grown up.

We also made it to our churches back to school event this year.

All in all it was a great week although I in particular was pretty overwhelmed in some moments.  There are so many people to think about and it's hard to get everyone where they need to be when they need to be there and with all the things they need.  This coupled with the general pressure we as moms feel to make sure our kids are making good friends and wearing nice clothes and have their teeth brushed and their homework done and on and on and on... It can really feel crushing at times.  My biggest take away this week was from this well timed post from Jennie Allen, one of my favorite authors and speakers.  

"Your kids don't need to be the best.  They don't even need to be the middle.  They can absolutely screw up.  They can fail math.  They can forget their uniform 5 times in a row and they can still turn out to be great humans.  So don't be so afraid of it all going wrong.  Them screwing up their lives completely.  The truth is the things that look like they are messing their lives up could be the thing that's making their lives."

It's okay if they're not perfect and it's okay if we as parents aren't perfect either!!!

Don't be so afraid!