A Fresh Start…

“…September is the other January—a clean slate, a fresh start, a chance to use new pencils, fresh notebooks, and begin again.”

~Gretchen Rubin

Today was the first day of school.  A fresh start!  As a parent, ahead of time I prepped my boys.  I dutifully printed out the school supply list, physically went into a store and checked the items off the list as I filled up the shopping cart.  I purchased the new underwear, the new socks, the new sneakers, the new backpacks, even the new water bottles.  My goal as a parent is to provide them with all the tools they need, and a handful of items they want, to prepare them for a successful school year.

Last night, we kicked things off with good habits.  Backpacks at the ready, water bottles already filled, clothes set out the night before.  Alarm clocks set.  Bedtime routine instituted, yes, my boys are older, but age-appropriate routines have been set in place. 

This morning went smooth.  Realizing it was the first day of school, it was somewhat expected.  It’s sort of like Christmas morning, but different. 

As I headed to work and sat in meetings all day I though of them often.  What time is it, what are they doing?  I’m not going to lie, the thought briefly passed through my mind, God, please keep my children safe.  Bring them home to me, let there not be a school shooting today.

I was eager to get home and hear all about their day.  On my way home I stopped at the grocery store to pick up a few items for dinner.  I bumped into a teenager I know, one that actually talks to adults.  I asked him how his day was.  “Awful” was his response.  He went on to explain how he has very strict teachers and it set the tone for the year.  My heart broke for him.  He’s a good kid.  A new school year should have new opportunities, but he was already struggling.  I then bumped into another mom, and I asked how her child did at school.  She also mentioned how her child, years ago, had experienced bullying.

Both conversations made me reflect on some of my first days of school.  I was not a popular kid.  I was the awkward, shy kid.  I didn’t grow up in a household that had extras.  New school clothes and supplies were purchased on a very tight and limited budget and that meant what was purchased was limited.  I was the kid that was excited for the first day of school but by the time I arrived home the excitement bubble had burst.  I carried the feeling of believing that I was less then. Peers that were mean and had harsh words for me are the interactions that stuck in my memory.  If there was a kind word shared with me, this is not what I remember.  These memories stay with us (therapy helps!!)

To the kids who had a rough day, know that it can get better.  To the adults that have kids who had a rough day, remember to support them. 

September is a fresh start, a time when new seeds are planted.  Often when we grow, this comes with growing pains. Those pains might look like struggles with new subjects or concepts, new peers, or social situations. 

Ask your kids the annoying questions, about every little detail, even when they don’t want to talk.  Remember to listen to them.  Remember to hug them.  Remember to love them and nurture them.  Remember to have patience with them.  I right this to remind you my reader, as much as it is to remind myself. 

Thank you to all the teachers and school administration who will spend many waking hours both in the classroom and outside the classroom to cultivate our children.

Here's to a new school year, new opportunities, a clean, fresh start.

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