Giving the kids a little down time before the night before school bedtime ritual starts actually gives me a chance to sit and write and reflect. The summer was completely hectic and went by way too quickly. My kids seemed to grow taller every night. The to do list seemed to get longer every day.
I think we all knew that the pandemic was not over but I think we may have all been trying to cram way too much into a short summer which started free of masks. I think the desire to make up time added a lot of pressure to do fun and exciting things. Honestly, I wasn’t really ready to jump back full force into being social. It amazes me how quickly we can unlearn natural behaviors and fear can drive us to change. I can’t help but watch old movies and have to remind myself that they don’t need a mask or to social distance. That the crammed cocktail party in “You’ve Got Mail” was totally acceptable.
My oldest is now starting 6th grade. For us, that is a big deal because our elementary is K-6 and the high school is 7-12. I hadn’t really been giving it much thought but my younger child declared (in tears) that her brother would be leaving her soon. I reminded her we have a whole year to go! But then I got (over) thinking and found myself reflecting on how fast their school years are passing. Next year will feel really different with the kids in two different schools.
My niece officially moves out of the house into her new apartment this weekend. I am so excited for her. My heart goes out to my sister as she navigates this big shift. I can’t handle 6th grade or the thought of 7th. I cringe at the thought of college and the official moving out of the family home for the first official job and push it to the back burner. I know all of these developments are good for our kids. I know we are blessed that they are able to move forward and forge ahead with their own lives… but it doesn’t make it any easier.
I keep on reminding myself to let them know how proud I am of their growth and the people they are becoming. I don’t want my emotions to stifle their choices and dreams, but you can bet that I will hold their hands and hug them as much as possible before they are too busy to let me.