A New Journey Begins...

Today’s the first day of school. My son is starting second grade and my daughter is starting kindergarten. 

Before you check out thinking this is another mom getting weepy about her kids going back to school, let me assure you it’s not.

I love our school. I love the teachers my kids have this year. I love the administrators and staff.

But I hate today. It’s not for the reasons you may think. It’s not for the reasons I thought. But through a few weeks of prayer and reflection, I think I know why I hate today.

Of course I’m nervous for my babies because I want them to be safe and happy and because new is hard… NEW IS SO HARD!

For eight years, I have been a work-from-home mom. I have had small people with me every day minus a few hours here and there. That has been my identity. Not in a weird she-has-no-life unhealthy kind of way, but in a this-is-my-world kind of way.

I’m not sitting here wondering how I will fill my days. Good gravy, I have plenty to do. I’m sitting here crying because I don’t know what MY LIFE looks like anymore. 

The worst part is that I didn’t choose it. I didn’t choose a new job. I didn’t choose to start a new adventure. And it’s not like God called me into a new ministry and I need to be obedient. The government chose this. They decided it was time. 

That’s a tough pill to swallow.

I’m not anti-government or anti-school. I’m just anti-not-being-in-control.

I know that God has a plan and part of me is excited to see what this new chapter will look like. I also know that I am blessed beyond words and I am not losing sight of that. But right now, in this moment, I hate today.

This is by far the hardest "Something Uncomfortable" yet.

There ARE Options…

Join the Something Uncomfortable movement on Facebook:

 http://www.facebook.com/SomethingUncomfortableSteppingFromFearToFreedom

My son has been extremely sick with the flu or flu-like illness since Friday. My daughter finished her antibiotics for strep on Friday only to have a slight fever and 24-hour stomach bug starting yesterday afternoon. Just when that seemed to be resolving itself, she spiked a high fever and is in bed with the flu. Apparently we are sampling all of the lovelies being passed around school. Awesome. Have I mentioned how much I loathe the numerous springs we have had this fall? BRING ON THE FREEZE ALREADY!!!!

Fevers freak me out. Especially ones that make my babies cry in pain. We are only at the beginning of what I’m guessing will be 48-72 hours of fever for my baby girl. (That’s how long it took for my son.)

Add to my freak-out the fact that it’s holiday party week at school… and I’m in charge of one party and have the party favors for the other one at my house. Hello OCD nightmare.

Of course, as I’m freaking out, I’m also beating myself of with guilt because at least we don’t live in Connecticut… my babies may be super-sick, but they are super-here. So I am desperately trying not to be desperate. I AM a problem-solver.  Now let’s solve the problem.

The solution: both kids are staying home tomorrow no matter what. No one wants us to give them this for Christmas. I’ve emailed the other room mom in my daughter’s class to see how I can get the goods to her. And on Wednesday, Pa will watch whichever sickies are quarantined to our house. Adam, my mom and I will go to my son’s school and throw a spectacular Holiday Party for his class. And if my son can’t be there, we will have another spectacular Holiday party at my house when we get home. Problems solved.

I’m telling you this to remind you that there ARE options. Even when things look bleak and aren’t turning out the way you planned, there are ways to make it work. Good thing I’ve been practicing being uncomfortable this year… now to work on not being so whiny ;)

Are You Missing Out On An Amazing Opportunity?

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I’ve REALLY wanted to write this post for a while, but I have hesitated because I don’t want to make anyone feel bad. I feel so compelled to write it, so I’m just going to trust that you will get where I’m coming from. Here goes.

I grew up with a mom who volunteered for everything she could at my school. I always knew that I would do the same for my kids. I also always assumed that EVERY other parent would do the same. Yeah, not so much.

I spend 4½ hours each week in my son’s kindergarten class while my daughter is in preschool. I also organize his holiday parties and help with the holiday activities at my daughter’s preschool. I can do that because we own a construction company. I do the books and have the flexibility to do my job when the kids are sleeping or when I can steal a few moments here and there. I’m not telling you this to be a martyr. I’m telling you this because I want you to know what I’ve learned from this experience.

Here’s a few things each parent should know about volunteering in his/her child’s class:

• When they are little, having a parent come to class makes your kid feel special.
• It’s an opportunity to get to know the kids that your kids are hanging out with.
• It allows you to get to know the teachers that are responsible for YOUR kids 6½ hour each day, 5 days each week.
• You get to love on other kids that don’t always get enough love at home. In turn, you become a safe adult in their lives.
• Teachers barely have enough time to teach our babies everything they need to know. Your presence helps them in ways you can’t image.

I’ve talked at length with my son’s teachers about the fact that more parents aren’t in the classroom. These are the conclusions I’ve drawn:

• Some parents work and their schedules just won’t allow them to volunteer.
• Some parents are simply overwhelmed by life and can’t handle adding one more thing.
• Some parents just have no clue that they CAN volunteer in their child’s class.

I totally believe those are all valid reasons. But I have some ideas that might help you in each case.

• If you can’t physically get into the classroom, see what you can do from home. Ask the teacher if she has any cutting to do or stapling or whatever. Ask her for ideas.
• If you can afford to buy stuff for the parties… do it. Shoot have your kid help you pick out holiday napkins at the dollar store. EVERY kid that brings something to class to share feels special.
• If you have the flexibility, have lunch with your kid at school each quarter. My husband just did this and said all of the kids thought it was fun to have him there.
• If you didn’t realize that you could help IN the classroom, it’s not too late! Contact your kid’s teacher. See how they can use you. I cut, copy, help kids read, help with art projects, hang papers on the wall, and so much more.

Let’s be clear about something: I was a YOUTH pastor. Small people scare me. Drunk, high, pregnant teenagers are no big deal to me. But snotty nosed kids who can’t read scare the living daylights out of me. Oh and I hate new stuff. And talking to people I don’t know makes me want to cry. And germs… little people hugging me with germs. V.O.M.I.T!!! Please don’t use fear as an excuse NOT to do this. I haven’t. And I’m so glad. Because you know what? Those germy hugs make me feel special and I wouldn’t trade them for anything.

Our kids are only little once. I just really want you to experience this. It’s amazing! And it’s changing my life.