School started here in the desert over the last couple weeks. And it still baffles me that I don’t have any kids to send out into that sweaty hot jungle of back-to-school business. Oh how I MISS and remember those beautiful days: the excitement filling up the air, the first day of school traditions that held us so close, those red-hot little faces bursting in the door after school yelling “mom!” and telling me about their day. It’s interesting that from my vantage point now as an empty nester I even miss the nerves, the scramble to get school supplies, the anticipation of class schedules, parking passes, teachers. Oh man!
For those still in those trenches, I have gathered together some ideas for you that worked for us through the years:
- First day of school traditions we love – I just revamped that one with all kinds of new ideas
- Ideas for healthy(ish) school lunches – what worked for us
- Keeping the house tidy and kids responsible – job charts and a money system
- Connecting with kids through parent-child interviews and five-facet reviews
- Helping kids recognize the good you see in them
Oh I miss all that and being in charge, and having all my kids under one roof. If you’re there in that business, and it’s crazy and not fun, remember it will turn golden. I promise.
The “First Day” Looks Different as Empty Nesters
And, for those of us who are graduated from all that, there is so much good in this stage too!
I have to say, Dave and I are settling into this empty nest parenting gig pretty happily, too.
It just looks a bit different.
While so many around us are sending off their kids with full backpacks and excitement for a new year, we are in the midst of SO many moving parts!
Four of our five kids are moving this week and last.
Claire is finishing her NYC internship.
Elle just swam the Alcatraz Sharkfest swim and Dave got to be there to support (so much more to say about that soon!):
Lu is finishing her last week of BYU summer school, and has had some miracles amidst the mayhem:
And Max and Abby have given us these grandbabies…what could be better than that??
Oh, so much to record about all that at some point in the future!
But for today, I just wanted to pop on and wish everyone the best of luck for whatever stage of “new” this next couple months brings.
Whether it’s starting school (hug those school-aged kids extra for me!!), a new job, a new tradition, or wrangling new habits, trying to figure out empty-nesting, isn’t it cool that we get to just keep “organizing matter” in all kinds of new ways?
Sending out all the best vibes (and so much love) as we all try to keep morphing into our best selves with whatever is coming our way.
MAN! We need Elle details, how exciting!
I wrote up those details for her birthday a couple days ago, here you go!
https://71toes.com/a-story-of-sharks-alcatraz-and-a-brave-birthday-girl/
XOXO
Now that you don’t have back to school little kids do you think you and Dave will serve a mission?
I would sure love to do that some day! We’ll see how things pan out!
xoxo
Thanks for the pep talk. Mine is going to Mayo Clinic and hoping/wishing things find some answers? We keep ‘organizing’ our lives in many ways and figure out how to deal with some drama around us? Love to all of you too.
Even tho I don’t have any children, I still enjoyed this post.
I especially love the ideas on a rainbow breakfast & cookie chats after the first day of school. So fun.
It still sounds crazy to me that most children in the US go back to school in August. It seems so early.
In the UK (except Scotland) they don’t go back until the beginning of September. They also don’t break up until July.
With them going back when it’s still so hot what do they do about break time & dinner (lunch) times? Do the children have to stay inside?
Will Murphy be starting at pre-school this year? (I get a bit confused with all the different names for US schools) If so, I hope she settles in ok & has a great time. x
P.S. What is a parking pass?
It’s just a pass so you can park your car at high school.
XOXO
Yes it’s so early! And yes, they stay inside for lunchtime at school. Max and Abby have thought about pre school but not sure what they have figured out. Murphy will LOVE pre school some day, I’d love if she can do Joy School!
XOXO
My two sons have moved into their apartment and are getting ready to start their junior year at University of Oklahoma. Man have they changed so much between starting Freshman year and now! It is exciting to watch. We live in the Tulsa area, which is about two hours away from OU. Empty nesting here too, and it brings such a mixture of feelings…although I am 63 and my husband is 8 years older (although in really great shape) so we are in a different sphere of empty nesting. We adopted both of our sons from Russia when they were 14 months and 15.5 months old and I was in my early forties; we were late bloomers:).
I always enjoy your posts and seeing what your crew are up to. Thanks for sharing and including lots of lovely pics.
Thank you Lea, I loved hearing a bit of your story! I love seeing how these kids change and grow and become more themselves in college. Good luck to your sons and also to empty nesting! If you ever have advice from your vantage point sent it on over;)
XOXO
…and keep pics of those grandbabies coming; they are such cuties!
I will! And thank you!
XOXO