I’ve fallen into the same cycle of stress that always gets me at the start of the school year. It’s frustrating because it doesn’t seem to matter what I consciously think or feel, there is always a subconsciously current of stress running underneath everything else.
I’m not sleeping well. I wake up around 3am and toss and turn for the rest of the night. Some nights there are specific issues that keep me awake, but other nights I just can’t fall back asleep. After four nights of this I’m fairly exhausted.
I got into my room on Monday. All my stuff was gone. I freaked out. We found it in another room and someone moved it back for me. I also packed up the rest of the stuff from the teacher who left my room (she left an entire bookshelf there for me to deal with) and got a little unpacking done.
Tuesday I didn’t have much childcare so I didn’t get much done.
Today I got almost all my boxes unpacked, though some stuff is still just lying around the classroom. I think I have a layout I like (there is all new furniture in there since the last time I used it). It’s not ready, but it’s a lot better than it was on Monday.
Tomorrow I have professional development presentations all day. Friday I can get back into my room to work on it some more.
Saturday is the Back-to-School BBQ at my daughter’s school. I, of course, am in charge. We lost two board members over the summer (I just found out this past week), as their kids were finally accepted into other schools in the district (they’d been on the wait lists for a while). I don’t know how we’re going to get everything done without them.
My kids start school on Monday. I can’t get a hold of anyone in the office at my son’s school which is… concerning. His teacher did call, but I missed it, and I can’t get a hold of her again because I need someone from the office to patch me through.
I have everyone’s school clothes, backpacks, lunch boxes, and shoes ready.
God, I hate the start of a new school year.
Same. Just parent of a kid stress, not even a teacher.
My oldest got her first homework packet this week. And I had forgotten how stressful her having homework is for me and had become complacent in the summer. Meltdowns already. And she’s mad at the unfairness of her little sister getting to play while she has to do homework in the sliver of time we have when we get home before dinner (and the oldest did have homework in K but the little one doesn’t, adding to the unfairness).
I hope everything works out in time for your first week and your son’s school calls you.
Two people down on PTA Board is a lot of loss. IF no one steps up see what you can cut from year’s plan. Consider what would happen if you left as standard for what needs, really, to be kept.
Getting past the first two weeks of school will help, the stress will both abate and also become normalized. Hang in.
Agree with this advice. Cut back. If no can help you in a meaningful way, don’t do it at all.
We are excited for the new school year. I was voted in as vice president of the PTA by association mostly. But we had our first executive officer meeting, planned out the events, placed all of the calendar markers and met the new teachers. My daughter has completed all of her back to school things (packets for two grade levels) and is so very ready to start. I am a little stressed in that my calendar is already PACKED well into May but I cannot wait to be apart of my littles school experience.
This sounds tough 🙁 my return to work has also thoroughly kicked my ass. Thankfully my son’s school start went well (though my husband let him go to school with his scoot twice this week. I was SO worried because he has to cross two major roads on the way. But he was fine and will take the bus from now on).