Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Back to School

When I was young I loved the first day back to school. I loved the fresh new school supplies, the new books, new clothes, the feel of Fall in the air. It was a time of excitement and anticipation. As a mommy I love it just as much but it's mixed with other feelings; sadness, pride, and guilt.

Today Aiden got on the bus and headed off to start second grade. He was not at all happy about it. School is not his favorite thing and he tells me this often.

How am I feeling? FREE! LOL. Well, not entirely since Riley doesn't start preschool until next week but the calm and relative peace in the house this AM is quite freeing. I am a little sad, I will miss Aiden and his antics while he is away. I also feel a touch of guilt for being so happy to see him get on the bus.

Many of my mommy friends online and in real life were sad to see the first day of school come and told me how much they were going to miss their kids and wish they could be home all the time. I love my boys with all my heart but I welcome the school year with open arms. I think it's good for all of us to have our own space and time and I am happy to give up my role as cruise director and general activities coordinator.

I used to worry that being excited about my kids going to school made me a bad mom but I've come to realize that I can't compare myself to all the other moms out there. We all have different feelings, different parenting styles and different kids. All I can do is respect their feelings on the issue and hope they respect mine. So when I see their sad posts on FB this AM I offer condolences and support and I hope when they see my jubilant one they understand where I am coming from as well.