It’s Friday, y’all! And I’ll say it's been one hell of a week. Gremlin just completed his first full week back. And while I’m always worried about him being out of my sight, something has kinda changed for both of us this year. I don’t know if it's because he’s been in the same school since kindergarten or maybe even because, during the teacher swap, he got the same amazing teacher he already had. Whatever it happens to be, has us settling into the old routine like seasoned pros around here.
There are some things I have learned from him so far this school year.
Lesson #1: The backpack is a black hole.
Every day, I unzip it expecting to find homework or maybe a snack wrapper. Instead, I find mystery objects that I’m not really sure anyone knew were there. For example: a rock…. It wasn’t a big rock. But when I pulled it out of his backpack, he started going 90 to nothing jabbering. So “very important” rock.
Lesson #2: Routine is a loose suggestion.
If you have been around for a minute, you know the Gremlin has a war on sleep. Whether that be on school days or not. So, we do our best to set him up for success. Clothes are laid out each night, shoes and backpack are together in his room, and everything is picture perfect for hubby to handle the morning and put him on the bus. Funny how this is where we start the week.
By Wednesday into Thursday, Ares is waking up fresh as a Daisy, while we are running around like chickens with no heads missing a foot. Can’t find any of his new shirt, his new jeans have a mystery stain by the ankle, he is refusing everything but dunken sticks for breakfast, and he had to wear a pair of my husband's socks. Why cause no one knows where the 40 (not even joking) pairs of his are.
Lesson #3: Kids are better at boundaries than we are.
Gremlin has no problem indicating, “I’m tired” or just “done” for the day. He comes home might or might not have a snack. Has me put on his movie. Then climbs into bed with the covers thrown over his head. This is the “do not talk to me”, “look at me”, or “try to engage” unless you want the wrath of a 4’6” titan. There is a hell of a lot of FAFO in that child.
Meanwhile, I’m over here ignoring my own exhaustion because laundry doesn’t fold itself. I’m starting to think maybe he’s got it figured out.
Lesson #4: Even little victories count.
We had smiley faces all week. Which means he did what he was told, followed directions, and didn’t have a meltdown. WIN across the board. And Yes, I did get him ice cream for when he gets up from his nap.
The truth is, sending your kid back to school isn’t just about them learning. It’s about us learning too. To adapt, to let go, to embrace the chaos, and maybe even take a break when we need it. Some of these kiddos, like mine, have no room for BS. Yes, due to the nature of his nonverbal, we struggle bus it a lot of days. But then there are days when things just click.
So, here’s to week one. We survived… and we’ll do it all again Monday. Hopefully, with a better game plan and some extra minutes of sleep. Have a great weekend guys. See you on the show tomorrow night on Twitch. 7c/8e Hold My Pen Promptcast.
Be Brave, Be Bold, But Always Stay Humble.
There are some things I have learned from him so far this school year.
Lesson #1: The backpack is a black hole.
Every day, I unzip it expecting to find homework or maybe a snack wrapper. Instead, I find mystery objects that I’m not really sure anyone knew were there. For example: a rock…. It wasn’t a big rock. But when I pulled it out of his backpack, he started going 90 to nothing jabbering. So “very important” rock.
Lesson #2: Routine is a loose suggestion.
If you have been around for a minute, you know the Gremlin has a war on sleep. Whether that be on school days or not. So, we do our best to set him up for success. Clothes are laid out each night, shoes and backpack are together in his room, and everything is picture perfect for hubby to handle the morning and put him on the bus. Funny how this is where we start the week.
By Wednesday into Thursday, Ares is waking up fresh as a Daisy, while we are running around like chickens with no heads missing a foot. Can’t find any of his new shirt, his new jeans have a mystery stain by the ankle, he is refusing everything but dunken sticks for breakfast, and he had to wear a pair of my husband's socks. Why cause no one knows where the 40 (not even joking) pairs of his are.
Lesson #3: Kids are better at boundaries than we are.
Gremlin has no problem indicating, “I’m tired” or just “done” for the day. He comes home might or might not have a snack. Has me put on his movie. Then climbs into bed with the covers thrown over his head. This is the “do not talk to me”, “look at me”, or “try to engage” unless you want the wrath of a 4’6” titan. There is a hell of a lot of FAFO in that child.
Meanwhile, I’m over here ignoring my own exhaustion because laundry doesn’t fold itself. I’m starting to think maybe he’s got it figured out.
Lesson #4: Even little victories count.
We had smiley faces all week. Which means he did what he was told, followed directions, and didn’t have a meltdown. WIN across the board. And Yes, I did get him ice cream for when he gets up from his nap.
The truth is, sending your kid back to school isn’t just about them learning. It’s about us learning too. To adapt, to let go, to embrace the chaos, and maybe even take a break when we need it. Some of these kiddos, like mine, have no room for BS. Yes, due to the nature of his nonverbal, we struggle bus it a lot of days. But then there are days when things just click.
So, here’s to week one. We survived… and we’ll do it all again Monday. Hopefully, with a better game plan and some extra minutes of sleep. Have a great weekend guys. See you on the show tomorrow night on Twitch. 7c/8e Hold My Pen Promptcast.
Be Brave, Be Bold, But Always Stay Humble.
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