Going Back to School

Going back to school. Just the phrase evokes such memories. Newly sharpened yellow pencils. A new pencil box. Perfectly shaped pink eraser. Empty pages of bright white paper with thin blue lines just waiting to be filled. The new binder filled with tabbed dividers, subjects neatly written in blue ball point pen underneath those red, blue and green clear plastic shields.

The trip to Kinney's to buy new school shoes. Something sturdy that would last the year. Almost always black and white oxfords. A new outfit for the first day of school, and all the new school supplies. The entire 'back to school' experience could make me feel like a Queen for the Day. It was the beginning of my life long love affair with office supplies. For me, going to an office supply store is nearly as fun as going to the mall.

Over the years, as I prepared my own children for their First Day of School, it began to change. School supplies were no longer basic. The choices just among pencils were staggering. Binders were no longer just your basic blue. They were colorful and closed with zippers. They began to have all kinds of pockets and became organizational tools. They became high tech and had the price tags to match. If my child was going to be successful in school, they would need one of these.

The schools prepared longer and more specific school supply lists. A single new outfit for the first day of school was no longer sufficient. Children began to require complete new wardrobes for the new school year and oxfords were definitely out! They wouldn't be caught dead in oxfords! When you have multiple children, this can add up to a new mortgage! Hand me downs? I don't think so!

Backpacks and coats had to be the correct color and style. Buying new coats for the year was a given. And boots when we lived in climates with snow for the winter.

There were a few years when it was not cool to wear a coat. It didn't matter if it was 20 degree's outside, cool kids did not wear a coat. I'll refrain from the obvious pun.

Now, my children are grown and buying school supplies for their own children. It's their turn to learn how to ebb and flow with the trends and traditions. Having remarried a few years ago, I find myself with one more daughter to raise. Also a few years ago, we elected to home school. Now, I'm the one who makes the school supply list. And with only one child to buy for, I can have fun with it. That trip to buy school supplies can be downright dangerous for our checkbook.

We still make a 'back to school' shopping trip. Just because you're home schooled doesn't mean you have to eschew the trappings of the public school world!

Back to school means back to schedules and routine. Bedtimes are adjusted to allow for proper sleep. (Or should be). School age children need more sleep than they did as toddlers. Growing and changing bodies need a good solid 8 hour (minimum) night's sleep and good nutritious food. Television viewing time is reduced. (Or should be). Growing and changing minds need excellent 'mind food'.

Back to school also means back to homework. I am against homework. School is for schoolwork. Going home is for playing and reading for fun, and being outside and working on personal hobbies. I know these days, going home means plopping in front of the television and playing video games. I have to say this isn't the best mind food available. Kids should use their school hours to study and do the work. After school hours are just that - 'after' school hours. Homework should be limited to whatever the child didn't finish in school.

These are magical days, when your children are young and you know where they are. All too quickly they grow up and move on to begin their own lives. When my children were young, my mother told me, "These are the easiest days, Karen, when they're older, it gets harder." I could hardly believe her, I mean how hard could it be when they could talk and communicate and go potty on their own and dress themselves? But as usual, she was right. When your children are small, they are happy with your kiss that soothes a wrinkled brow and a hug when things go wrong. When they are grown, that kiss and hug doesn't do much more than tell them I love you. You can't fix their owies anymore; you can't smooth over the wrinkles in their life. Many times you can't even say anything, you must watch from afar. Your only option is to pray for your children and be there when they need you.

Treasure these 'back to school' days, they only happen once.