Lord have mercy. School breaks bring out all the emotions. Who knew? I love my kids so much. I honestly get excited when they first get home from school. I mean, I haven’t seen them all day and can’t wait to hear how their days went. But it sure doesn’t take longer than 10 minutes before I am over all of their fighting and bickering that has been saved up while they were away.
Even though I am so glad they had great days and can see their sweet little faces, let’s be honest here. I quickly change my tune when the fighting begins. Maybe you are a mom who can deal with all the fighting, as if it is nearly just one of those Charlie Brown episodes in the background, merely a ‘Wah wah wah waah.’ Not hearing anything that will stir up those nerves. I am definitely not one of those moms. I am working on my patience; however, it doesn’t include full immunity to all the yelling and fighting. My kids will seriously injure one another if I were not on task at all times to play referee.
So fast forward to a holiday school break. I seriously mark those things ahead of time on my calendar because I have to be prepared, both mentally and physically. The worst thing is to be caught off guard with one of those school breaks.
Say what?! No school today?
Let’s take the Christmas break … it always seems so exciting at first thought. I begin planning all the fun crafts, activities, as well as imagining all the Christmas movies and hot chocolate we will be drinking while they are at home. Seriously laughing out loud right now as I think about all of this. Maybe a few of these things occurred successfully. Add in lots of drama, “why’s” and messes to what I had imagined before the break. And Mardi Gras break … much of the same …
Motherhood is like that though. We place expectations on how things will be. Kids are going to be kids, meaning you can not have anything set in stone.
Even knowing this, school breaks end with me so ready for them to return. Craving the routine without all the fighting. It is so bittersweet. As they head back to school, I begin to worry about how their days back will be:
- Will they have a good day?
- Will they be happy to see their friends again?
- Hopefully they won’t be too tired after the break!
All of these thoughts pop into my head as they get onto the school bus.
These thoughts don’t keep me from being happy, though, for my beloved routine that will be soon following as that school bus drives away.
