Mom on a Mission: back to school

Showing posts with label back to school. Show all posts

Monday, August 22, 2022

Muffins with Mom – A Reflection in Parenting

It’s that time of year where store shelves are filled with spiral notebooks, crayons, pens, erasers, and backpacks. It’s an unspoken notification that it’s Back to School time. Although my cherubs are done with school, I stumbled upon a photo that drew me into a memory.

Along with the start of a new school year, comes picture day. During my sons second grade year I hadn’t decided whether I would purchase a package. We still had photos left from the two previous years. He hadn’t changed THAT much.

Well, the photography company took photos of all the students and sent them home for parents to preview and decide on a package. Great marketing on their part. The presentation was nice and included a plastic sheet of keychain photos.

The keychain photos were assembled in a way that they could be detached by snapping them from the plastic sheet. The sheet stated Do Not Detach unless you want to purchase. Can you guess what happened? I won’t keep you in suspense. My son detached each one of the six photos. There they were scattered on the table like a jigsaw puzzle.

The decision was made for me…we purchased a small photo package, and the detached keyring photos. Fast forward fifteen years – one of those keyring photos is still in good shape. It never made it onto a ring with keys, but found its way into a photo box, tucked away with other memories.

Parenting is full of ups and downs, but it’s the fond memories that make it all worthwhile.

What is one fun, back to school memory that you can reflect upon?

Monday, July 20, 2020

Motivational Monday – The College Send Off - Anything but Ordinary

Preparing for back to school

It was early evening as I adjusted the earbuds into my ears, my Zoom workshop was starting in five minutes. As I listened intently to the workshop leader, my son began talking to me from across the room. “Ma, blah, blah, blah..” That’s what I heard, until he bellowed to me again.

“Ma, did you hear what I said?”

I pulled one earbud from my ear and tilted my head slightly to hear what he was saying.

“More of my classes just moved to online and other ones will be hybrid.”

College classes will be anything but ordinary.

As my son’s stack their storage bins, gather their blankets, and check their class schedules, reality sinks in. They are going back to school in the middle of a pandemic. One which is predicted to experience a second wave in the fall if everyone doesn’t practice safe measures.

In past years, the college send-off was a time of excitement for the year ahead – making new friends…a clean house, oh wait we’re not talking about me. My sons were excited about being on their own, hanging out with friends, and attending classes in person.

Neither of my sons want to take online classes, but they will have to abide by the policy of their individual schools. Times we’re living in are not what we are accustomed to. My heart goes out to parents and their children who are preparing for back-to-school with uncertainty.

Where does your strength come from in times of weakness, struggle, and challenges? Prayer changes things. Create a quiet place, pray, meditate, and turn your troubles over to the Lord. Build upon your faith and go from worrier to warrior.

The college send-off this year will include reminders to “wear your mask, keep hand sanitizer handy, and stay away from unnecessary crowds. Saying goodbye will be anything but ordinary.

Since there will be no ordinary this fall, let’s make it extraordinary. If your college student must attend in person classes, send hm off with love, hope and faith.

Monday, August 5, 2019

Muffins with Mom - All I need to know I learned in kindergarten

Today’s blog post does not contain the antics of one of my sons, it reflects someone else child that I have worked with. None the less, kids speak their mind, especially in kindergarten. Let’s go back to school so you can see what I mean…

This is a blog post from several years ago.

“All I need to know I learned in kindergarten” is a poem by Robert Fulghum. Last week I experienced that poem in real life. I was a substitute teacher in a kindergarten classroom.

I was a sub for this same teacher, Mrs. B., last year and it was a great day. I didn’t mind going back. I was only working a half day (afternoon), so I had a chance to converse with Mrs. B before she left for the day.

“You’ll have your hands full today,” she told me. My smile faded and my lip twitched as I said, “Oh.”

“But I have two Para Pros who will be here to help you,” she added.

Relief came back and we chatted a while longer. As I sat at one of the “kiddie” tables to review the lesson plan I bumped my knee on the edge of the table. That was after I attempted to sit in one of the “kiddie” chairs with fancy little armrests and my butt wouldn’t fit. I felt like Goldilocks taking over Baby Bears furniture.

As we talked, Mrs. B shared a story with me about how she explained to the class about how she had a mommy, but didn’t live with her. Mrs. B explained that she was also a mommy. One child asked her, “How many kids do you have?”

“Five,” was her reply.

Another little girl said, “Dang all of those kids came out of your private parts?” At that moment I had a pretty good idea what my day would be like.

Here is a summation of what I learned in kindergarten that day:

Everybody wants to be the leader (line leader, second in command, teacher’s helper). As I picked the kids up from lunch one boy said to me, “I’m second in command, I have to hold your hand.”
Most of the kids want to hold your hand or give you a hug.
Kids tell everything – “My sister tried to poke my day with a pencil. He told her to stop, but she wouldn’t listen.”
Be firm, but loving.
It’s ok to act silly sometimes.

Below are the things Robert Fulghum said he learned in kindergarten:

Share everything.
Play fair.
Don't hit people.
Put things back where you found them.
Clean up your own mess.
Don't take things that aren't yours.
Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody.
Wash your hands before you eat.
Flush.
Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you.
Live a balanced life -
Learn some and think some
And draw and paint and sing and dance
And play and work everyday some.
Take a nap every afternoon.
When you go out into the world,
Watch out for traffic,
Hold hands and stick together.
Be aware of wonder.

What lesson(s) have you learned long ago that still stick with you?

Monday, July 29, 2019

Muffins with Mom – 3 Signs that it’s time to send your child back to school – college bound

When kids have too much time on their hands...time to refocus and prepare for back to school.

My college son - the younger years

Binders, notebooks, ink pens and backpacks, these are all signs that back to school is near. In my house, the back to school indicators are a little different. It’s back to college for my cherubs.

Before I even noticed school supplies on the store shelves, there were situations that caused me to cry out, “When does school start for you?” Here are 3 signs that can cause you to encourage your young adult child to prepare for departure.

1. You tell your child to unload the dishwasher and he says, “I didn’t use any of those dishes.”

2. There seven pairs of shoes scattered near your front door, and none of them are yours.

3. You’re out late and your child sends a text message saying, “What’s for dinner?” You know this child can cook because he’s sent you photos of his delectable dinners when he was away at school.

The irony of these situations is that you know you have taught your child about responsibility. This was evident to me one sunny day as I walked past my sons’ car in the driveway of our house. I noticed his windows were part of the way down.

I peeked into my son’s car, there was no trash on the floor or in the door pockets. No stains on the seats. Thoughts began to form in my head. I could take the empty Gator Aid bottle he left in my car and toss it through his window. Maybe I could drop a small candy wrapper on floor mat, for him to discover later. Hmmm.

Had I carried out my plot, it would have been considered a bad parenting moment. The drawback to that plan is that somehow I would still come out as the looser. My son would have needed to use my supplies to clean up the mess. When I told my son what I thought about doing he said, “Wow, that’s childish.”

“Saying you didn’t use any of the dishes is not childish?” I retorted.

Life’s little lessons continue, even after your children graduate from high school.

What would you add to the list of signs that it’s time for back to school?

Friday, July 20, 2018

Fun Friday – Back to school

It was a typical July day - exercise, work and coffee at my favorite lunchtime writing spot. As I sat, sipping coffee and working on a writing assignment, my phone buzzed. It was a text message from my teen son that read, “I’m getting ready to go.”

“Noooo, everybody didn’t get to say goodbye. I thought you were staying one more day.” I really meant I didn’t say goodbye.

My son was driving back to college that day. I thought I had convinced him to stay one more day. I rattled off a list of reasons to stay…

· Your living quarters were not going to be ready for another day.

· You’ll have to inconvenience your friend’s parents by staying with them.

· You may forget items if I’m not there when you leave.

None of these reasons shook his resolve.

“Okay,” I said. “If I get home and you’ve left stuff everywhere, I’m charging you a $50 cleaning fee.”

My son met me at my lunch spot to take a few selfies before he headed off to school.

Later, I arrived home ready to put my feet up, sit outside in the warm breeze, and sip on a smoothie made with fresh berries. Instead, I had to navigate through a living room that looked like a shoe display at Foot Locker, Famous Footwear or some other popular shoe store.

There were empty boxes and other boxes filled with shoes waiting to be moved to a new location. Putting my sleuth skills to work, it wasn’t long before I realized my son packed hurriedly.

His George Foreman Grill still sat on the kitchen counter. There was a five pound bag of rice still in the cabinet, and the bedroom held a scattering of socks, a towel and other miscellaneous items.

Once my son arrived safely at his destination he texted me and said, “I made it. I just realized I forgot to grab my clothes hangers.”

“Yes buddy, you forgot more than that. And you do owe me a $50 cleaning fee.”

My son was anxious to get back to school, not for the exciting academic year, but for football training. Everybody has something different that drives them to succeed.

Sitting in a lawn chair sipping a Strawberry Banana Smoothie on a warm July day, does not seem the time to prepare for back to school. I’m not ready to say goodbye to summer, but, for everything there is a season.

How does your child prepare for back to school?

Friday, September 5, 2014

Fun Friday - Back to school funnies

Photo credit

The kids are back in school why not share a few laughs to start the school year?

Photo credit

YouTube video credit: The Holderness Family

Have a great weekend!

Monday, September 1, 2014

Muffins with Mom – The kickoff

Before I dive into today’s blog post, I want to wish everyone a Happy Memorial Day. This is a day to honor the memory of military personnel for their service and sacrifice. If you know of someone who has served in the military, take a moment to extend a word of gratitude.

Now for the story…

It’s the time of year where parents are kicking into gear for the start of another school year. For my family, it’s the kickoff of high school football season; And for learning lessons on the gridiron. As parents prepare for back to school there is always a list of supplies to purchase. Along with the traditional list of school supplies, I have added:

· Pay sports participation fee

· Purchase a school t-shirt (for me)

· Sign up to volunteer or bring snacks

What does your fall kick off look like?

It was a warm August evening as my mom and I stood along the fence during my son’s junior varsity football game. It was the first game of the season. We followed number 20 with our eyes as much as we could, but mostly we listed for the announcer as he said, “that was Verges on the tackle.”

My fourteen-year-old son has played football since he was eight or nine years old, but I am still learning the role of the positions he plays. I know that his position as a Linebacker is viewed as a position of toughness. To be an excellent Linebacker one must be quick, tough, intelligent and powerful (I got that information from Google).

Beyond being tough, powerful and intelligent, I am most impressed by what my son is learning through football. He is focused, learning leadership skills, and doing something that brings him joy. As a defensive captain, other players look to him for guidance.

I remind my son that a leadership role is not something to take lightly. A phrase that I share with him often is, “to whom much is given, much is required.” He is learning that his leadership role goes beyond the football field.

Sometimes I feel like I have to play the role of a Linebacker as a parent. I have to be tough, a quick thinker and intelligent enough to outsmart a teen. As my son lines up for the kickoff on the field, I align my thoughts for the challenges and victories the school year will bring.

How are you preparing for the kickoff of a new school year or new chapter in your life?

Friday, August 16, 2013

Fun Friday – Funny back to school signs

photo credit: www.straighterline.com

Getting ready for back to school can be a time of excitement, anticipation, and even stress. For kids there’s the excitement of seeing old friends, the anticipation of making new friends and the stress of expected homework.

Parents on the other hand experience these same stresses, but on a different level. There’s the stress of wondering whether your child will hang with the “right” crowd and whether he will receive enough homework. When it comes to excitement, some parents are just thrilled to get back into a regular routine.

Before you swing back into that regular routine, relax and something funny. Here are some back to school funnies that I came across recently.