Is your shopping done yet? Have you nailed the best deals on all of the supplies on your child’s class list? Is the smell of new athletic shoes and fresh clothing purchases permeating your house yet? While it all sounds so hopeful, if you’re house is anything like ours, there’s a slow, sickening churning of the stomach beginning. Back to school feels as uncertain it does exciting, especially … [Read more...]
Letting Special Needs Kids Grow Up
Parked at a crowded curb in front of the middle school, I watch as my girls get out of the van, tie shoes, check hair in the side window, glance to see if anyone they know is nearby. I should drive away, I think. I should leave and make space for another family to unload their kids. But it's not just the parking spot. It's the admission my girls are growing up. They walk away from the minivan. … [Read more...]
Back-To-School, Back To Isolation
The women down the street are popping the champagne for mimosas as they join together for a mothers party to celebrate the first day of school. All of their cute Pinterest-y photos of kids neatly groomed holding chalkboards proclaiming their first day of 1st Grade, 7th Grade, or Senior year have already littered the Facebook feed. The joyful smell of new school supplies and lingering warm weather … [Read more...]
Lord Help Me! It’s Time for School Again!
It's 5:15 am when the alarm goes off, chasing off the last remnants of a beautiful dream of walking on warm summer sands in the light of a glowing sunset. And just like that, Summer. Is. Over. My eyes strain to focus on the ceiling above as I fight an urge to pull the sheets back over my head. But no, I must get up! I must get up because… it's time for school again! I imagine other … [Read more...]
Back to School: 8 Tips for a Smooth Transition
Back to school ads. They're appearing earlier and earlier in the summer. Early enough to create turf wars between back to school and the Fourth of July industries. While early July is way too soon to think about going back to school, the same can not be said for the end of July in many parts of the country. Like my part of the country where the school year begins on August 14. Yes, … [Read more...]