Sri, I love when things are aligned! A quote I read this morning — “It is touching that we live in a world where we have learnt to be so kind to children. It would be even kinder if we learnt to be more generous towards the childlike parts of one another.”
Mr. S is just the cutest book! I love that you included early readers. We're well into our 3rd week of school already and I think it's going really well. Like Elizabeth, we've had some schedule changes this week due to the weather but we're rolling with the punches. The hardest part of the back to school routine has been dealing with some evening meltdowns. I try to recognize when my kids are feeling burnt out from school or getting tired for bed so we can provide opportunities for rest. Simplifying meal time has been very beneficial for me (mentally and budget) even though it's hard to let go of the way I'd like to cook.
I really, really loved Mr. S. Such a fun read. I think having some rest or quiet time after school is so, so important. Just a way to transition into home life and gather your bearings. I remember we when I was a kid, we'd get so excited when my dad would come home from work but even if he was home for 30 mins he would be in his room just easing out of the work day and into parenting. At the time I didn't get it, but I sure understand now!
My body panics on Aug 1, and like clockwork I’m awake 5-5:30 am. as long as I go to sleep by 10-10:30 I feel ok but there’s no going back to sleep for me this time of year. Husband is a HS soccer coach and has to run morning practice for 3 weeks until HS starts so he’s also not really present during morning rush. He’s started soccer season on Aug 1 for 11 years and that’s the same amount of time we have lived together so I’m used to it but always feels like a gearing up to have more solo parenting hours after school as well.
My kids started school on Tuesday and I’m still feeling a good bit of anxiety. School was cancelled today due to potential flooding but both my kids at least woke up at the scheduled wake time today!
They both like their teachers and my 7 yo has at least 5 good friends in his current class. My 5 yo has complained they don’t play enough at school and I knew it would be jarring coming from a play-based preschool. Starting kindergarten has led to the predictable but still tough moments of dysregulation.
I have been trying to speak with compassion to myself and husband as far as reparenting goes- we had the conversation last night that it feels hard for our kid not to listen to us because we felt unheard as kids. I was leaving for book club last night and told my husband to please try to frame his view of our kid as having a hard time with this upheaval in his routine and extend him some grace. He said they had a good night and bedtime went well last night!
Thank you so much for sharing your experience, Elizabeth! I have a lot of sympathy that you're solo parenting one of the times I dread the most: the morning rush. No matter how many years it's been, I'm sure it's a rude awakening (ha!) every time.
And boy do I hear you about having compassion for ourselves. We had a really tough morning and the entire time I was berating myself for not handling it better but we're all human trying the very best we can. I'm so glad having that conversation led to a positive outcome in your husband's night routine with your kids!
I so resonate with not wanting to accidentally plant fears in a kids head and sometimes I get frustrated with kids books around a topic like going to school because it seems they all do that. I love this list for its awareness and for giving options that aren't going to make my nervous household more nervous!
Oh jeez, yes! The absolute last thing I want/need is to plant other fears alongside the current ones. When I was creating this list it became obvious it was better to bucket by fear than just age. Glad you found this helpful!
Sri, I love when things are aligned! A quote I read this morning — “It is touching that we live in a world where we have learnt to be so kind to children. It would be even kinder if we learnt to be more generous towards the childlike parts of one another.”
You did that for yourself!! And I’m inspired!
Thank you so much, friend! And that quote...😭
Mr. S is just the cutest book! I love that you included early readers. We're well into our 3rd week of school already and I think it's going really well. Like Elizabeth, we've had some schedule changes this week due to the weather but we're rolling with the punches. The hardest part of the back to school routine has been dealing with some evening meltdowns. I try to recognize when my kids are feeling burnt out from school or getting tired for bed so we can provide opportunities for rest. Simplifying meal time has been very beneficial for me (mentally and budget) even though it's hard to let go of the way I'd like to cook.
I really, really loved Mr. S. Such a fun read. I think having some rest or quiet time after school is so, so important. Just a way to transition into home life and gather your bearings. I remember we when I was a kid, we'd get so excited when my dad would come home from work but even if he was home for 30 mins he would be in his room just easing out of the work day and into parenting. At the time I didn't get it, but I sure understand now!
We are the same way! Maybe that’s a good way to frame it for our kids. We all need time to decompress.
My body panics on Aug 1, and like clockwork I’m awake 5-5:30 am. as long as I go to sleep by 10-10:30 I feel ok but there’s no going back to sleep for me this time of year. Husband is a HS soccer coach and has to run morning practice for 3 weeks until HS starts so he’s also not really present during morning rush. He’s started soccer season on Aug 1 for 11 years and that’s the same amount of time we have lived together so I’m used to it but always feels like a gearing up to have more solo parenting hours after school as well.
My kids started school on Tuesday and I’m still feeling a good bit of anxiety. School was cancelled today due to potential flooding but both my kids at least woke up at the scheduled wake time today!
They both like their teachers and my 7 yo has at least 5 good friends in his current class. My 5 yo has complained they don’t play enough at school and I knew it would be jarring coming from a play-based preschool. Starting kindergarten has led to the predictable but still tough moments of dysregulation.
I have been trying to speak with compassion to myself and husband as far as reparenting goes- we had the conversation last night that it feels hard for our kid not to listen to us because we felt unheard as kids. I was leaving for book club last night and told my husband to please try to frame his view of our kid as having a hard time with this upheaval in his routine and extend him some grace. He said they had a good night and bedtime went well last night!
Thank you so much for sharing your experience, Elizabeth! I have a lot of sympathy that you're solo parenting one of the times I dread the most: the morning rush. No matter how many years it's been, I'm sure it's a rude awakening (ha!) every time.
And boy do I hear you about having compassion for ourselves. We had a really tough morning and the entire time I was berating myself for not handling it better but we're all human trying the very best we can. I'm so glad having that conversation led to a positive outcome in your husband's night routine with your kids!
I so resonate with not wanting to accidentally plant fears in a kids head and sometimes I get frustrated with kids books around a topic like going to school because it seems they all do that. I love this list for its awareness and for giving options that aren't going to make my nervous household more nervous!
Oh jeez, yes! The absolute last thing I want/need is to plant other fears alongside the current ones. When I was creating this list it became obvious it was better to bucket by fear than just age. Glad you found this helpful!
I just put three of these books on hold at the library, thank you! Looking forward to Planet Kindergarten in particular 😊
Oh yay! Let me know what you all think!