New School Year Challenges
With anything new, there is an adjustment period. A time of trial and error. And sometimes lots of errors. This Fall has been a huge change for us, and new school year challenges have made an impact on everyone in the family.
Not all the challenges have been bad, but they are things we need to work on…otherwise they would be a challenge, right?
So, I’m sharing our first week, with all the good, bad, and frustrating in hope it will help you with any life changes you’re dealing with. Whether it be new school year challenges, problems at work, or even problems at home, a fresh perspective might help.
Challenge #1
Getting to School on Time
Now, this one isn’t what you may think.
Clothes were laid out the night before the first day of school, lunches prepped, and backpacks packed. Everyone got up early, ate breakfast, got dressed, and even got their pictures taken (with signs I made the night before, I might add.)
Both set of Grandparents arrived, and we all headed out to the bus stop 15 minutes early, cameras ready for the photo-op.
10 minutes after the bus was supposed to come, I made my first call to the bus company. Assured they were just running a little behind, we waited some more. After 20 more minutes, 3 phone calls late, and one sighting of a bus leaving our neighborhood, we accepted our fate. The bus had missed us.
By this time school had started, so we kissed all the grandparents goodbye, piled in the car, and I drove the kids to school.
Not what we pictured
Everyone was really disappointed. Especially, the twins who were looking forward to their first big bus ride to their new school.
They did get to ride the bus home, but they were an HOUR late getting home.
Needless to say, many more calls were made to the school, the bus company, and the head of transportation. It didn’t help at all.
2 more days of waiting patiently for the bus to not pick anyone up. Not only did they miss our stop, but the whole section of our neighborhood. 2 more days of being late for school. About a million more phone calls and emails to anyone and everyone I could think of.
Finally, on the 4th day of school it happened.
Finally!!!
The BUS ARRIVED!!!!!
Still 15 minutes late, which made the boys late to school, but at least they got a ride.
For the last couple days, there has been a great improvement. There was a manager assigned to sit on the bus and assist our driver with her route, and they are finally almost on time for pick-up and drop-off. They actually make it to school on time too.
Why such a problem?
We did switch Bus companies this year, but it was supposed to be for improvement. I completely understand being a few minutes late on a new route, but they did have the whole summer to practice…or even the last few days before would have been a good idea. Or on the weekend, since we started school on a Friday.
It was frustrating for me, since I had to rush to get the kids to school, and also miss things I had previously scheduled.
It was upsetting for the kids to not only miss riding on the bus, but to miss the beginning of the day with their classes.
So, we’ve had to get over it, and move on now that the problem is solved.
Challenge #2
Case of the Crankies
Even without the added time on the bus ride home, school for all three boys is a really long day. They leave the house around 8:30 am, and don’t get home until 4:15 pm. They also are still waking up around 6 am, and not taking any naps. Add in the fact that they have to be on good behavior all day, what do you think happens as soon as they step off that bus?
You got it. Complete madness.
They are hungry, they have to use the bathroom (no one seems to go at school yet!) and they are tired.
Unfortunately, this combination is not a good one. After I try to get a hug from each boy, there is usually some type of fighting, someone in tears, and lots of whining as I drag them into the house.
So, we need to work on this. And they need to adjust to this new schedule. And I need to keep breathing.
I’m so excited to see them and hear about their day, but they are too wound up and overtired to tell me anything. Or snuggle with me. I’m hoping this will change in a few more weeks.
I think as they get used to school, and as the days get shorter and colder, they will calm down a little. At least that’s my hope.
Otherwise, I’m going to have to institute a mandatory 10 minute rest period every day when they get home.
We have been very strict about getting them into bed early, so at least they do get sleep, even with that early wake-up time.
Challenge #3
Managing Stress
I expected the beginning to be hard, but these new school year challenges have really stressed me out. Instead of enjoying my new-found alone time, I find myself worried and anxious. I have been sleeping worse than usual, missing workouts, and trying to get so much done during the day, that I’m going to burn out soon.
So, I need to take a step back.
While I have each day to myself, I still can’t get everything done. I need to be realistic, and not be so hard on myself.
Laundry will probably never be done, and I’m going to have to accept it.
I am back to working out, since the bus is now on time. So, that definitely helps my stress level.
And I might have to take a nap every once in a while, if I can’t sleep at night.
I think I was so worried that everyone would think I’m just doing nothing now that the kids are gone, that I’ve been trying to do everything. Which is silly.
I’m not Super Woman, and I’m not even Super Shann.
With all of the tragedies and loss going on all over the Country and the World right now, I need to keep our new school year challenges in perspective.
We will all adjust. I’m just going to keep taking it one day at a time, and do my best.
How has the start of your school year gone? Or what challenges have you faced lately that have forced you to have some perspective?
Sending all my thoughts and prayers to everyone who have lost their homes or are rebuilding after the damaging hurricanes, storms, and weather.
That is no fun to start the school year with bus issues. Transitions are hard enough without extra problems.
Your boys look so excited to be starting school, love those signs! My daughter missed almost her first week at school because she was sick so it has been a slow adjustment back for us. Glad you are taking time to workout, something I always need to remind myself to make time for.
we experienced many of these frustrations during our first week of school, too! (But that bus stuff–ouch! luckily we walk to school. that’s rough!)
The bus is always an issue for the first few weeks of school. I know it takes a while to iron out the kinks! I think just getting up early every day is a challenge for us, especially after staying up late all summer!
Ugh! We have had similar challenges with our daughters’ bus over the years. I am so sorry your boys had to go through this hassle – hope it gets better for them, and stays that way!
Oh, and PS, I totally know what you mean about the after-school meltdowns too! I try not to ask mine too much about the day until dinnertime several hours later, and this year we instituted an “afternoon routine” for the first time (as in, wrote it down) to try to smooth over the spot between tired/hangry and the 3rd grader has homework to complete…this, too, will get better, and I LOVE your “10-minute rest period” idea! 🙂
Getting to school on time was always a challenge when I was a child.
My cousin is sending her oldest off to school this year and she has said their bus is having issues with timing too! This is a great post, good luck to your littles this year!
You hit the nail on the head with these school year frustrations. Thanks for making me know that I’m not alone in dealing with the crankies and frustrations getting into a new routine!
Ah you’re poor littles, what a huge disappointment. SO glad you got it all figured out mama and Amen to that afternoon nap!
Thanks for sharing
Susan
petitepepper.com
We’ve had to adjust our schedules as well with my oldest starting preschool this fall. She and little sister still need to take a nap when she gets home around 2:45 but by the time you get everyone settled and asleep its almost time to wake up so we don’t mess up bedtime. It’s frustrating!
Handsome boys! Clothes and hair are always a challenge for us. My daughter is very picky about how clothes fit and her hair is always a tangled mess that she doesn’t want to brush….I get it, I remember crying all the time when my mom brushed my hair, but it’s a CHALLENGE! We laid out 5 dresses for picture day and she tried them all on before finally picking out the 1 left in her closet that she wore for pictures last year. Haha I’m learning to pick my battles, but it’s hard work!
Way to go Mama on making stressful situations go smooth for their very first week. It looks like it all came together and those pictures are adorable!
Aw man this sounds stressful. Hopefully everything goes more smoothly as time goes on!
Oh, I am so happy that my daughter isn’t old enough for school yet. In about 2 years, I’m in trouble.