It's here.
It may be cold and rainy outside, but it is a daywe've I've been waiting for with mixed emotions for many years.
The first day that ALL of my kids are in school all day. Don't get me wrong---I love my kids fiercely and think that they're pretty fun to spend time with....most of the time. But the day is here and I am ready for this step....kind of.
There weren't any tears (that's not really my style), but as I sit here a little lonely in the empty, quiet house, I wonder what my days are going to be like now. I know myself too well to know that it won't take long for the busyness to creep back in again, but still I wonder what it will feel like not to have any kids around here for 6 hours a day.
At Glen's behest, I didn't sign up to be in the PTA presidency again, but I do envision helping in the kids' classes more regularly again.
I envision being a better friend--being more aware of other people's needs and participating in and planning more social activities. (This does not come naturally to me and it will be a challenge.)
I envision blogging a little more meaningfully again.
I envision exercising more regularly in hopes that I will eventually look a little more like this photoshopped version of me....
I envision being better at planning fun/meaningful activities for my children.
I envision at least starting the prep for dinner before the kids come home from school.
I would also write about how I envision reading lots of books, getting my house perfectly organized, submitting articles to be published, and always staying caught up on laundry, but that would be a stretch into the realm of wishful thinking and I am only trying to be real here.
**********
If any of you other school-day empty nesters have any advice for me in my transition to relatively quiet days/chaotic evenings, please feel free to shower me with all the helpful tidbits you can think of. :)
*********
It may be cold and rainy outside, but it is a day
The first day that ALL of my kids are in school all day. Don't get me wrong---I love my kids fiercely and think that they're pretty fun to spend time with....most of the time. But the day is here and I am ready for this step....kind of.
There weren't any tears (that's not really my style), but as I sit here a little lonely in the empty, quiet house, I wonder what my days are going to be like now. I know myself too well to know that it won't take long for the busyness to creep back in again, but still I wonder what it will feel like not to have any kids around here for 6 hours a day.
At Glen's behest, I didn't sign up to be in the PTA presidency again, but I do envision helping in the kids' classes more regularly again.
I envision being a better friend--being more aware of other people's needs and participating in and planning more social activities. (This does not come naturally to me and it will be a challenge.)
I envision blogging a little more meaningfully again.
I envision exercising more regularly in hopes that I will eventually look a little more like this photoshopped version of me....
I envision answering people's emails within 24 hours of receiving them.
I envision going to Institute every week for the first time in my life.
I envision spending more time decorating my house and making it look cute.
I envision making sure that my bathroom floors never again look like this for very long. (By the way, this photo was taken approximately one hour after this bathroom had been scrubbed top to bottom as part of our Saturday chores.)
I envision going to Institute every week for the first time in my life.
I envision spending more time decorating my house and making it look cute.
I envision making sure that my bathroom floors never again look like this for very long. (By the way, this photo was taken approximately one hour after this bathroom had been scrubbed top to bottom as part of our Saturday chores.)
I envision being better at planning fun/meaningful activities for my children.
I envision at least starting the prep for dinner before the kids come home from school.
I would also write about how I envision reading lots of books, getting my house perfectly organized, submitting articles to be published, and always staying caught up on laundry, but that would be a stretch into the realm of wishful thinking and I am only trying to be real here.
**********
If any of you other school-day empty nesters have any advice for me in my transition to relatively quiet days/chaotic evenings, please feel free to shower me with all the helpful tidbits you can think of. :)
*********
Don't let people know all of your kids are in school because you'll end up being an overtime volunteer at school and in your community. Take a year to do the things you've wanted to do for the past 15 years but weren't able to. Of course, this is coming from someone who said she was going to do that and never did, so do as I say - and not as I do!
ReplyDeleteoooo I like what Alexandra says. A whole year off... me likes. I was telling myself to take a whole term before I start volunteering for things!
ReplyDeleteI am going to be joining your "new vision" at the beginning of Feb, next year. It will be the first time I will be childless during the day too!
I envision that I will finally get my house organised. I also envision that I will have to sit on my hands to stop myself from volunteering!!
Yes, exercises, meaningful activities for kids and book of rememberance are things that I am looking forward to.
But most of all, I want to go to the movies during the day, by myself, because I have never done that before!
I'll just fly over and pick you up, and we can watch a chick flick! ;)
Oh I envy you just a little bit. I just sent my first baby off to Kindergarten, so I won't be there for a LONG time!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy!