What Back to School Really Means

Going back to school marks the official end of Summer, even if the calendar tells you differently. Kids are both sad and excited during this time of year. Some experience both feelings: pangs of regret that their carefree days of sleeping in and having fun in the sun are no longer; thrills of excitement in starting a new school year and not knowing what to expect. While others are either happy that their boring Summer has ended and now they can return to the routine they know and love or they’re forelorn over the schedule and expectations that are forced upon them. Regardless of how any one individual feels about this time of year, the end result is that it’s time for change. As we know, for some people change is good and for others it’s not.

Even for those who don’t like the end of summer/start of school-time, I imagine that the thrill of buying new clothes, a new backpack, new school supplies and a new lunch box is enough to get anyone excited. I know I always enjoyed it. Now that I’m on the other side of the credit card, it’s not as thrilling for me, but the shopping part is still fun.

The real bummer about everyone going back to school is the fact that traffic is back in full force! Everyone’s back from vacation, the kids’ schedules are back in place and everyone’s driving to work again. BUMMER! This change affects everyone regardless if you have kids or not. I suppose it doesn’t phase the retired folks as much unless they’re hitting the freeway during peak traffic times, but something tells me that they’re wise enough not to do that.

On the flipside, everyone’s schedule’s are back to "normal." The previously regularly scheduled dinner time is back, kids are playing organized sports again, and homework is back with a vengeance. Ahhhh, life is chaotic, but organized once again. The days of getting up at noon and eating dinner at 9:00pm are no longer, but that’s probably better for everyone anyway.

What does back to school mean to you? Do you have any specific routines that were abandoned over the Summer? What will you miss now that Summer’s over?

Happy Schooling/Searching/Shopping,
Payton