A lot of parents are looking forward to the routine of the kids being back at school. However, some are dreading it. Here's why.
I am not going to lie, as we head towards a new school year, I am dreading the madness that ensues at home. Of course, I love that the kids are back to school, and it does add some structure to the day, but it also adds a lot of hassle too. Here are some of the reasons why I am dreading the school year and the madness, and I am sure some of you can relate.
Homework
I think every parent in the world would agree that homework is a pain in the a*&! We know it is important that kids learn their spellings and tables but surely, they have done enough work in school.
By the time most kids are home, it is 3:30 pm and the kids are tired, hungry and moody. This means forcing your child to sit down at the table (again) to add to their already busy enough day. Honestly, why?
Extracurricular activities
You know the story. We get the kid's homework done, throw on the dinner and then leave in a rush to get to activities in the afternoon/evening. More rushing around and more busy days. Of course, we love that our kids do so many things but if you have a few kids it can feel like you are on a conveyor belt and have no chance of getting off!
School runs
Well, let’s be honest, it is literally a school run isn’t it? There is no time for nice breakfasts and everything the kids eat is quick and easy! The kids are either being dragged out of bed or they are up first thing but either way you are tired and stressed before 9 am. The joys!
Meetings and other stuff
Don’t get me wrong, I love a good meeting but sometimes there are too many with PTA, parent/teacher meetings and several evening events on for confirmation or communion kids or kids that are doing exams etc.
On top of everything else, there are bake sales, charity events and dress-up days! While I understand charity things are to raise money and bakes sales are for raising money for the school, the dress-up day is my idea of hell. I have one high maintenance daughter who refuses to arrive in the “stuff you have at home” that the letter CLEARLY says!
Evening madness
With everyone so busy, you’ll find yourself spending the evening in a state of confusion as you will not know what to do first. It isn’t easy and with kids to get bathed, read to and not forgetting, talking to each other it means the evenings go by in a second.
Weekend catching up
It isn’t enough! The weekends are great but there just aren’t enough hours to catch up on cleaning, ironing, washing clothes and getting dinners prepared for the busy week ahead.
Basically, any parent spends at least one day doing all the chores and the other day feeling like crap while spending time with the kids for that all-important weekend catch up.
No wonder parents are worn out.