Embracing the Return: The Joy and Necessity of Back-to-School Season

Summertime has a unique rhythm all its own. It’s a season of long, languid days, ice cream melting down sticky fingers, children’s laughter echoing in the backyard, and unforgettable family visits filled with love and warmth.

Yes, this summer was quite the spectacular show of joy, replete with grandparent cuddles and precious moments with the kids. It was a season where my role as a mom took center stage.

But if summer is a freewheeling jazz improvisation, then the school year is a well-composed symphony — predictable, structured, and comforting in its rhythm. As the last strains of summer begin to fade, I find myself eagerly awaiting the start of that familiar melody. I long for the re-establishment of routine, the chaotic morning rush, and the bittersweet peace that accompanies waving my children off to school.

Don’t get me wrong, the grandparent visits and all the remarkable summer moments have been invaluable. But in the flurry of playing the ever-caring mom and arranging unforgettable experiences for my children, I’ve missed spending quality time with a very important person — myself.

The return to school offers the promise of a semblance of structure and, within this structure, a chance to recharge my batteries. After all, one cannot pour from an empty cup.

So how can we, as parents, navigate this transition and carve out some vital ‘me-time’? Here are some practical tips to consider:

Plan Your Time

Planning is essential. Once the school year begins, organize your day around the school timetable. Can you allocate a quiet hour for yourself when the kids are at school? Whether indulging in a book, exercising, or simply enjoying a hot cup of coffee in peace, make it a scheduled part of your day.

Embrace the Power of ‘No’

Understand that it’s okay to say ‘no’ sometimes. When overloading your plate, prioritize what is necessary and what can be let go. It’s about balancing meeting your children’s needs, family, work, and your own.

Seek Help

Feel free to ask for help when you need it. Whether sharing school runs with other parents or asking family members to babysit occasionally, sharing responsibilities can free up some time for you. There is a reason they say it takes a village to raise a child.

Invest in Self-Care

Finally, see this ‘me-time’ as an investment in your well-being, not an indulgence. Taking care of yourself doesn’t mean you’re neglecting others. On the contrary, it ensures you’re in the best shape to take care of them.

With these strategies in place, returning to school can provide a respite, a chance to reclaim your time and space.

But until then, let’s try to live in the moment and cherish the tail-end of this glorious summer. Let’s revel in the mess and the magic, the spontaneous trips for ice cream, the impromptu picnics, the loud laughter, the sandy toes, and the sun-kissed noses.

As we move toward the school year, let’s carry forward the joy and love of the summer, pairing it with the structure and routine that the school year brings. Remember that it’s not just our children transitioning to a new school year — we are too.

Let’s allow ourselves the grace and space to adjust, to rediscover ourselves not just as moms, dads, or caregivers but as individuals with our own needs and desires. As the school bell rings in the new academic year, let’s ring in a renewed commitment to taking care of ourselves too.

To all the parents, here’s to a structured, fulfilling school year and finding the time to recharge our batteries. After all, we’ve earned it.

— by Anna Luten

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