Back to School Blues

Here in the South, the kids go back to school in mid August. My boys, for instance, start back on Monday.

I could say that I am ready for all of that. We have done our shopping, gotten most everything the school has requested in terms of paper, pens, pencils, and other obligatory supplies. However, I don't feel ready for the stress, schedule, and rather unceremonious advent of school. This summer may have been one of the most relaxing for me. Truthfully, there have been times of stress and duress, but overall, there have been plentiful good times with friends, family, and nature that I have truly enjoyed.

Back to school means that we will get up earlier, there are more deadlines to meet, tests to take, and general obligations to fulfill. Some of these are superfluous. They are fillers, made to increase the business of children so there is little time left for imagination. Who decided that an hour and a half of homework each night in grade school is necessary? I certainly have a different attitude, and hopefully will find a middle school and/or high school which mirrors that for my children next year.

In the meantime, I am hoping that the summer extends beyond the imminent commencement, and we continue to enjoy sultry nights with fireflies, warm afternoons by the pool, and generally keep the relaxed attitude that summer has afforded us this year.