Back-to-School Stress Got the Better of Me

Simply begin again.

Like so many parents in my social media feeds, I posted pictures of my kids heading back to school this week. Mine are headed into 8th and 9th grades.

For the first time in eight years, my kids require different drop-offs this year. One is heading into his first year of high school. 😳 The other, into her final year of middle school. 🙌🏼 They would also have been separated in 4th and 5th, but COVID meant they instead had each other and no one else that year.

They are looking forward to the independence of being on their own this year. Best friends with each other at points in the past, they’re branching out into their own friends and interests more and more. They seem excited for the chance to fly solo.

Leaving me surprised to find MY anxiety so high at adjusting to the idea of them apart. It has given this mom in the midst of crazy turmoil a sense of peace to know her kids had each other to lean on at school. A peace I value only now as I no longer have it. I was MUCH wobblier than …