Today is Labour Day. For most, it’s just another excuse for a day off, but for parents (and students), this day is just a red flag for anxiety (or remorse) because typically the school year begins the day after. Okay, I might be exaggerating a little, but September is typically associated with ‘Back to School’ and it’s normal for our nerves to be on high alert.
The start of the school year means change in routine. After spending two months on summer break, many of us slept in, went on family vacation, and had a more lax schedule. Even though we still worked, we didn’t have to rush our kids to school by a certain time, and after dinner, we didn’t need to check our kids homework.
This year, in particular, is going to be a huge change for me. My son has been learning remotely for the past 2.5 years, and admittedly, I could wake up about half an hour before he needs to log in online for school because I didn’t need to make and pack his lunch in the morning. Oh, that exact hour of sleep can do wonders for someone who is already sleep deprived. But, on Wednesday, my son will return to learning in-class, so that’ll mean I’ll need to wake up at 6am every weekday to make breakfast, pack lunch, and get him ready for school. I really don’t think I can stay up writing until 3 to 4 am anymore with this new routine.
I’ve been feeling a bit stressed about the start of the new school year. My son is also starting at a new school, so the unfamiliarity also brings a bit of anxiety as well.
Although it sounds like I’m complaining, I’m actually just overwhelmed with so much change all at once. With time, I’m sure I’ll naturally adjust. But until then, I’ll just try my best to be positive – and who knows, maybe I can eventually get my best writing done at 3 pm.