Why I’m Not Crying (Anymore) Over my Kindergartner’s First Day of School
My Bean, my baby doll, my sweet pea… is officially an all day/every day Kindergartner. I’m not going to lie, I held it together until I got home from dropping her off and spotted Cooper (her BFF that goes with her EVERYWHERE) on the dining room table. She didn’t even need to bring him with in the car.
After the initial shock and awe of having my only kiddo in school all day/5 days a week wore off, I’m left with all this time on my hands! Hence, the first blog post I have written in over 2 months. It was a much needed sabbatical, but boy am I glad to get back to reality.
Back to school, back to a schedule
I’m sure almost every mom can relate to me on this one: back to school’s biggest benefit is finally getting back to a predictable schedule! Although I loved having the freedom of living day to day and having random park and splash pad adventures, I missed the predictability of knowing when we’re booked and when we can enjoy and fill our free times. It makes me appreciate the weekends that much more.
Plus, not only do I thrive on a schedule, Bean is a much happier kid on a schedule. Since she was a newborn, we had a strict napping/eating/play schedule. After she started preschool, the days she wasn’t in school were a bit “fly by the seat of our pants”. This usually resulted in a crabbier Bean and less sleep at night for the both of us. I know that getting into the swing of things with her Kindergarten schedule has made both of us happier.
Back to a schedule, back to motivation
I am a creature of habit. When I don’t have my usually daily schedule and do one thing out of ordinary, it’s like a domino effect of bad choices. It usually goes like this: I stay up too late at night and end up more tired the next day. Because I’m more tired I don’t have the energy to exercise. Because I don’t have the energy to exercise, I take a nap. Because I take a nap, I have less time to get things done. Because I don’t get things done during the day, I end up staying up too late at night. It’s a downward spiral of a complete lack of productivity and laziness.
Now no matter what, I have to get up and drop Bean off at school at 9:00 AM. This motivates me to get to bed earlier and sets off the chain of better choices. And it’s only taken me 32 years to figure this out 😉
Back to school, back to fall
Newsflash: fall is the BEST SEASON EVER. First of all, my birthday AND my anniversary are in the fall 😉
Second, have you seen how gorgeous maple trees get in the fall?
Third, temps in the fall in Minnesota average in the low-70s during the day and drop to the low-50s at night. Talk about the perfect sleeping weather!
Basically back-to-school time makes me all giddy with excitement and motivation. I’ve been packing daily lunches in Bean’s Bento Box like a boss. I can totally dig it.
Did you have a kiddo go back-to-school for the first time this year? What is your favorite thing about the back-to-school season? Let’s chat in the comments below!
Ha! I imagine its a tough adjustment, but fun an exciting to watch them grow and develop a little social circle.
xoxo Christie
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It sure is, and my little tomboy is always playing with the boys lol
I like your point of view. Everything is a step forward … better to embrace it with positive outlook. Love the pictures. Your girl is so pretty and cute.
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Thanks so much for the kind words 🙂
I don’t have kids, but I totally get what you mean about being on a schedule. Schedules make me feel organized and keep my mind clear. Happy back to school to Brynn!
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Yes, I agree! A schedule helps keep all the “to-dos” organized instead of clouding up my mind with all that needs to be done. Thanks so much!
Oh my girl will have her 1st school day next year but i already feel nervous now LOL… wish i or my girl could be cool when the time is arrive
Enjoy the time at home for now, it’s crazy how things change!
My oldest started preschool this year. I do love the structure. (We are big on schedules in this family.) But I do miss some of the freedom to build our days as I would like. It’s a learning process to settle in to this new routine, but we are getting there!
Oh I can totally relate. It just makes the free days that much more fun though, right? 🙂
Schedules are so important! I totally agree that one thing throws everything else off (hence me on here at 4:30 am haha).
Oh geeze, go to bed! lol
That’s what I dislike about summer. I mean, I love summer…but a real schedule is basically impossible.
Oh…and when my oldest went to kindergarten, I bawled. All day. By the time my third went, I was waving at the bus and dancing. It’s funny how it all changes. LOL
haha I can see how it would change with each kid! It’s weird only having one and going through all the emotions at once.
I absolutely know when I have a kid, I’ll will be the crying mom like forever! She is so cute and your are so blessed! And fall is like my fave season!
Aww, thanks so much! Fall is the best 🙂
I know the feeling of having to go back to a schedule once school is back in session. I spent so much time those last couple of weeks in summer asking my son, if he was ready to go back to school, but didn’t think to ask myself if I am ready. I had forgotten how much of a different my summer time schedule was compared to how it is when my son had school. Summer can do that to you, but now that I am back in the swing of things it has been helpful in getting things done. Thank you for sharing and I love your daughter’s outfit!
I always struggle when my kids go back to school. The first month is always an adjustment period.