Some of you know what this time of year brings. New school supplies (my favorite), a new routine that involves getting up entirely too early (although today was okay...helps when your young student wakes up on his own and is keen to get ready), and a change in the dynamics at home (less people trying to get along with each other...slightly more relaxed mommy...when she's not busy trying to get everything ready for bus-time). And of course, a learning of how to navigate the emotional issues that come with school, being available so those issues can surface, and learning the art of communication with those that work with your child balancing advocacy with compassion and understanding. Wow, this has just gotten pretty heavy-duty.
We had an excellent first day today. Nothing too stressful approaching launch-time and a day where I had the opportunity to focus on me and my youngest. This was good practice, as my middle child (my only daughter) is starting kindergarten on Monday. It is so hard to believe my second is starting school. I was desperately trying to rack my brain: what was it like to hold her when she was a baby, how did she talk when she was a toddler, how has she changed in the past year? It is amazing how these things slip from consciousness.
So, wherever you're at in your stage of motherhood, I urge you to take a little time to step back, breathe, and take it all in: the feel of your child on your lap or in your arms, the smell of their hair, the feel of their breath, the sound of their cries, laughs, and toddler-isms...write about if at all possible. Because you're going to forget. And the more things going on in your life, the more people you're caring for, the quicker the time seems to go. Everybody says this...and it is easy to ignore...but everyone says it because it's true...so go into your sleeping baby's room and gaze at their round cheeks and soft eyelashes and drink it all in. Feel the weight of your tired eyelids that accompanies the depth of your love for your little one(s). And take a minute to be thankful. The time you're spending with this little person is time you'll never get again. And be kind to yourself and care for your needs, too. What you give to yourself is never wasted either.
Happy 09/09/09!
