Learn, Dammit, Learn!
The kids go back to school tomorrow. Today was an open house day, where they could go in and meet their new teachers. They did, though it was brief. Then it was off to get their school supplies and make sure they're ready for Wednesday.
I can honestly say I've never been more relieved to have them go back. It was different when I worked under my old schedule... they were home, I was home, and it was kind of nice to have a little extra time with the monkeys. But this summer was all about trying to keep them occupied and engaged in whatever was going on for the given week. On top of child care costs, we also had a larger than average number of obligation-type expenses -- two weddings to attend -- and that left our "fun fund" a bit diminished. So when we finally did have some actual vacation time our budget was a tighter than we'd have liked. Even Bailey, our 10 year-old, said this hasn't been his favorite of summers. It was hard to disagree with him, though I did point out that there were some nice moments and that we'll try to have more of them next year.
I think all of us -- me, my wife, the kids -- do better when our day-to-day lives are more structured, scheduled, and even a bit routinized. School, soccer practices and games, Judo, guitar lessons, work... collectively it can be it's own kind of chaos but its easier to bottle. It is predictable and controlled, with more specific start and stop times. The downside, of course, is finding a moment for one's self amidst all of it but the open "slots" within a 24 hour period are easier to pin down.
It will be nice to be at work and not think about whether the kids are A) Having an okay time at day camp or B) Doing okay as they watch themselves for a few hours or C) Not being complete jackasses while one of their friends' mom does us a massive favor and watches them for them the day. At least when they're at school I know that they are (depending on the day) learning and generally having a good time. Barring that I at least know they're occupied and generally very safe. Then when we all get home it is on to the next thing. Boring and domesticated? Sometimes. Predictable and manageable? More often than not, yes.
Oh... and its only one month until Opening Night of the NHL season! (The actual official first game of the season, to be played in the UK of all places, is September 30th.)
Yes, things are getting back to the closest definition of "normal" that I know.
J
I can honestly say I've never been more relieved to have them go back. It was different when I worked under my old schedule... they were home, I was home, and it was kind of nice to have a little extra time with the monkeys. But this summer was all about trying to keep them occupied and engaged in whatever was going on for the given week. On top of child care costs, we also had a larger than average number of obligation-type expenses -- two weddings to attend -- and that left our "fun fund" a bit diminished. So when we finally did have some actual vacation time our budget was a tighter than we'd have liked. Even Bailey, our 10 year-old, said this hasn't been his favorite of summers. It was hard to disagree with him, though I did point out that there were some nice moments and that we'll try to have more of them next year.
I think all of us -- me, my wife, the kids -- do better when our day-to-day lives are more structured, scheduled, and even a bit routinized. School, soccer practices and games, Judo, guitar lessons, work... collectively it can be it's own kind of chaos but its easier to bottle. It is predictable and controlled, with more specific start and stop times. The downside, of course, is finding a moment for one's self amidst all of it but the open "slots" within a 24 hour period are easier to pin down.
It will be nice to be at work and not think about whether the kids are A) Having an okay time at day camp or B) Doing okay as they watch themselves for a few hours or C) Not being complete jackasses while one of their friends' mom does us a massive favor and watches them for them the day. At least when they're at school I know that they are (depending on the day) learning and generally having a good time. Barring that I at least know they're occupied and generally very safe. Then when we all get home it is on to the next thing. Boring and domesticated? Sometimes. Predictable and manageable? More often than not, yes.
Oh... and its only one month until Opening Night of the NHL season! (The actual official first game of the season, to be played in the UK of all places, is September 30th.)
Yes, things are getting back to the closest definition of "normal" that I know.
J