Riding the Wave That Is September

After a lengthy wait, school finally resumed this week. I have a second grader and a kindergartener getting acclimated to a new school year and getting back into a routine. There is so much new and historically, none of us transition well when new things are introduced. Adding a fun twist is my youngest, who will begin preschool in a 2s program.  I had nearly forgotten about that thanks to overthinking all the other things.

Now with two kids in elementary school and one starting preschool I am again reminded of why I wasn’t an early childhood major.  To all those out there working with preschool and early elementary students, I raise all my coffees to you.  Followed by the waters and all the Peanut M&Ms and Levain Bakery cookies.  I just don’t know how you do it and I’m oh so grateful you do because there are so many days that I cannot.

Parenting is such an interesting (for lack of a better, more colorful word) adventure.  I’m realizing as I move through it that there are certain ages I love and there are others that I most certainly do not love.  Things get tricky as my kids grow out of phases, sometimes for the good and others for the not so great.  I find myself breathing a sigh of relief when a rough one ends – or an entire year like being three  (I’d pay someone to take on my youngest when she turns three if they promise to return her when she turns four), only to realize Oh wait, we’ll have to navigate that two more times all while trying to find a roadmap for the phases we have yet to encounter.

I’m starting to think my philosophy on my teaching certification may apply to raising children too. I am not highly qualified for the preschool years, but bring me all the sweet, snuggly, non-colicky babies.  I’ll take the kindergarteners, but I’ll take a pass the second half of first grade when the drama starts up amongst friends. I’ve always said I liked the middle schoolers because you can reason with them and be sarcastic, but will I like my own when they get to that age?  I’m not so sure on that one.

Ultimately, I think I was destined to be a grandparent.  I would be awesome if I could sweep in, cherish all the snuggles and kisses and not mind the meltdowns most of the time because then I would be out the door like The Flash. It’s the ultimate gig and I just don’t understand why one first has to be a parent to become a grandparent. Granted there are exceptions to every rule but for myself, I’m stuck navigating the murky parenting waters if I ever want to get to the promised land.

People keep telling me, “Just wait for the teenage years.”  Lucky for them I have a number of years to have to just wait until we get there.  In the meantime, if anyone wants to tackle a spirited almost five-year-old, I’ve got you. Or a two-year-old who thinks (and may or may not be right) that she is the Queen Bee.  The seven-year-old is currently in the running as my favorite for now, so we’ll hold onto her until the next thing pops up and then we’ll take the top bidder.

In the meantime, we’ll continue to try to take it one subway ride to school at a time, while also making sure we check in with our sitter to ensure the youngest is transitioning well to preschool. To all those in back-to-school mode, or just taking it one day at a time, may the transitions be smoothish, the coffee exceptionally strong and the patience last through school drop-off.  After that, it’s anyone’s game.