When I was a teacher (BK — Before Kids),
the entire month of August felt like a
Sunday night … Filled with the anticipation
of any and all stress-inducing things brought
by the school year.
Now that I’m a mom, the entire month of
August feels like Christmas Eve … When
when is Santa going to come on his bright
yellow school bus and shower me with gifts
of a clean, quiet home, bicker-free days,
and a schedule to keep my kids occupied?
Yes, I DO feel guilty about being that guy
in the Staples commercial, joyfully filling
his cart with school supplies as he dances up
and down the aisles to “It’s the Most Wonderful
Time of the Year.”
Classic ad, by the way.
Let’s face it– as nice as the summer is,
with all of its lazy days and sun-shiny
weather, it’s a LOT of togetherness; plenty
of time for arguing and getting on each others’
nerves.
When I was a kid, I could walk across the
neighborhood to play with a friend. I could
organize a game of kickball in the street.
It’s not like that anymore… Our children
have to be supervised for their own safety.
Life is different today; the world is different.
I was recently talking to Deb, a new friend of
mine whose children go to school with my own. I
was admitting that I’m feeling “done” with summer.
She asked me if I feel guilty about not enjoying
my kids more. Affirmative. She asked if the guilt
weighs on me. Affirmative. I told her that I always
imagined loving every moment with my children.
She said she sometimes feels guilty as well, but
reminded me that our children’s behavior isn’t always
the best, and it’s normal to feel “done” sometimes.
I was so glad that I’d opened up about feeling like
Miss Hannigan from “Annie.” Deb helped me remember that
we parents are all going through the same trials and
tribulations (aka crap) with our kids. In the “motherhood”
book I wrote, there’s an entire chapter about “keeping it
real” when talking to other moms. It can be hard to admit
to other parents that our kids are sometimes a huge pain
in the ass, that we’d sometimes like to hang them by their
toenails from the nearest telephone wire, or that the
process of navigating another 13-hour day with them is about
as relaxing as a root canal.
One of my best friends told me today, “I’m not sure I can make
it another 3 weeks til school … I’m all tapped out.” Another
friend said recently, “My kitchen is like a 24-hour cafe; the
microwave’s always going, the toaster’s always going …. All
they do is eat!”
It’s important for us parents to voice these feelings to one
another. It keeps things real. So if you’re also finding that
summer, though wonderful in all of its carefree fun, is in fact
“getting old,” rest secure in the knowledge that you are in good
company. Moms everywhere are wrestling with conflicting feelings
of “done-ness” and “not-being-ready-for-the-school-routine-ness.”
Thanks for helping me keep it real, Deb!
Hang in there, Moms who are summered-out …
Santa’s big, yellow school bus is around the corner!
To all the moms who aren’t ready for summer to go,
enjoy every minute of the last few weeks!
The World of Author/Mom Alicia Murphy! 
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