School day reflections from a parents' point of view

[Jim Bristol]

Attending middle school and high school can be a very traumatic time for young people. However, I wanted to give some insight from the parents' point of view.

If you have a child currently in school, you'll understand what I'm saying. Parents have to get the kids up and ready for school on a daily basis as well as the taking time to ready themselves for their own job. This can be a daunting task. The kids don't always want to get out of bed when they need to. Parents don't always want to get up when they need to either. Striving to adhere to a set schedule every day can be stressful on both child and parent.

Having done this for a number of years with my sons tended to wear on me at times. The same routine day after day. From elementary school, to middle school, and, finally, high school. It took its' toll. Toward the end of their school years, I was delighted that the boys could get themselves ready and even drive themselves to school. That would give me some extra sack time. I relished it...for awhile.

For what seems the longest time, I was the one who had to wake the boys up and get them moving. The getting in the shower, brushing the teeth, and putting on clean clothes all had to be taken care of. There was a definite advantage of our daily routine through all this, however. It was the ability to communicate with my children and find out how things in their lives where progressing. Actually asking, "How was school?" and meaning it.

Of course, there were the times when you found out a report was due the next day. They needed construction paper, markers, etc. You never had the right color or the right kind of materials needed. Then the problem of the Internet connection not working or the printer cartridge being out of ink had to be addressed. The current information about the subject matter could never be found. The kids were too tired to sit and do a report they knew about weeks ago. You get the picture.

You know, through all the grief, stress, and pandamonium my kids put me through, I' pretty sure I would do it all over again. Why? Because it gave me time with my children and my children had the chance to learn who I was and what I was about. We learned a lot about each another. We talked and let our feelings be known. Good or bad, it didn't matter. We all grew...together.

Now that my sons are grown and out on their own, I often wonder if they ever remember those times we had like I do. They were always so eager to get out of school and start their own lives, I wonder if they miss it once it's gone. I know I did. Someday when we're together again, I'll ask them. I'm pretty sure the answer will be..."Yeah!".