With every new school year comes a new set of experiences, challenges, opportunities and life lessons. After a long summer, each year I look forward to the beginning of the school year as it is always a good time to make change and start some new routines. Being the analytical Accenture person that I am, its time to make new chore charts, calendars, schedules and new expectations for the year. I have lots of ideas floating around and want to create the best year for my family.
As I started to reflect, this year happens to be a nostalgic one for me. My oldest son Chris (14) is a freshman in highschool. My son Matt is 12 and is in 7th grade, my son Danny is in 5th grade and will be in his last year of elementary school, but lastly, my little guy Andy is starting Kindergarten. (sniff, sniff)
The older boys take the bus early in the morning, so they are up and out the door before the younger ones are awake, so taking 1st day of school pictures happened individually. As I walked my two younger ones to school I kept thinking how this was going to be the ONLY year that my two youngest boys would EVER go to school together. After this year, Andy will be in school all by himself. It totally makes me want to really enjoy this last year where they are both together.
I love seeing my boys when they want to connect and love one another. I am sure all siblings have their squabbles, but when you have a house full of all boys, the testosterone can sometimes be too much to handle. But something struck me this year about taking the time to BE, and I mean to be really present in the moment.
On the first day of school, rather than rushing to drop Andy off, we sat in front of a tree and cuddled to talk about what it was going to be like going to school. We played I Spy, watched other people walk around and talked about what he most wanted for the year. He wanted some friends his own age, “A best buddy” to hang out and play with. We took a couple of selfies (per his suggestion) and then he showed me what a monkey face looked like. These are such precious times, that as the kids get older, I don’t get the chance to experience the same kind of moments.
It is truly amazing what our kids can teach us if we take the time to “Simply Be”. The next time your child says something crazy that they want to do, stop and take them up on their offer. You never know what gift they might be bringing you that today. A friend of mine reminded me that our kids are a gift to us and we need to cherish the gifts and lessons that they teach us every single day.
You know how there are some days and experiences you just remember. Well Andy’s first day of school will be one that makes the list. Not because of the cute picture he took and because it was his first day, but because of the emotional and energetic connection we made together. These are the moments that life is all about.
As you try to implement some new routines and expectations this year, remember to take some time to “Simply Be”.