School mania
By TheRealDawn
@dawnald (85137)
Shingle Springs, California
August 10, 2011 11:31am CST
Well it was back to school for the kids this week. Partly I'm not happy because they are in three different schools. My mornings for the next 10 months will consist of getting out of the house by 7:30, dropping Naomi at the middle school, hanging a u-turn, dropping Cary at the elementary school, hanging a u-turn, and dropping Dearra at the high school. Fun.
But the upside is that it was a lot less crazy in terms of back to school activity for all three of them happening on the same day and at the same time. There was none of that, thankfully. It was all stretched out. All those wonderful forms that have to be filled out every year? I did Dearra's last week, Naomi's last night, and Cary's will be done probably tonight. Hardly any writer's cramp. Hooray!
And back to school shopping? I got their supply lists all at the same time, so I did that all at once. Hooray, one trip to Target, one trip to Office Depot for the leftovers, and done.
I'm sure there will be dribs and drabs of things coming in over the next week or two, but it won't be all insanity all at once. Relatively calm start to the school year. Or maybe I'm just getting the hang of it.
But dang, I still think that starting school in the second week of August is weird...
9 people like this
31 responses
@Humbug25 (12540)
•
10 Aug 11
Hi ya dawny
Crikey our kids here the UK don't go back til the first week of September but then they didn't finish school until the last week of July so we are only into the third week of the hols. How many weeks do they have off in the US Dawny, I forget?
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
10 Aug 11
I still can't believe they are in school already myself...Yet they probably will get out sometime early in May...My son's first day, I noticed, is next Wednesday, so I can't wait, some peace and quiet for a while..:D
2 people like this
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
10 Aug 11
What??? I was thinking along the lines of the beginning or middle of May. Why so long? Because though I think schools all across the country have calamity days, aren't you in Ca? And if so, does the school use these calamity days?
2 people like this
@sarahruthbeth22 (43143)
• United States
11 Aug 11
It is against nature! See I'm still on the kid's side. I remember summer being the one time of year where I didn't have a stomach ache. I wasn't being picked on and there was No homework!! So to hear that they are getting cheated out of two weeks saddens me! But I am now old enough to know the other side. how parents look at back to school as their freedom returning. The kids are out of the house! You can Live for yourself again! One of my favorite commercials was for Staples . The music was " It's the most wonderful time of the year!" Dad was full of glee as he pushed a shopping cart and his two kids slowly walked behind him with heads down. Classic. I hope now back to school night will be Three Different nights! And I also hope you get to focus on you for a change! Like All good mothers I Know you put yourself last. Well Ms. It is time to put yourself first for once. The kids are in school , take at least an hour and do something for yourself Each Day!
2 people like this
@dawnald (85137)
• Shingle Springs, California
11 Aug 11
Actually, it was nicer when they were home. I could sleep a little later, go to work and leave them a list of housework that needed to be done. Now that they're in school, I get up earlier, we get home and it's dinner, homework and bed.
1 person likes this
@jillhill (37353)
• United States
11 Aug 11
I agree...it's way too early. My little granddaughter was supposed to start school in the elementary school close to their house...but they transfered her out...to another school that doesn't start as early....the school near their house is trying out that go to school all year long...it's very hard to find daycare that will fill in the spaces when they are off! Sounds like a great start for you though!
2 people like this
@dawnald (85137)
• Shingle Springs, California
11 Aug 11
Year round school has its benefits though. When my kids were on year round we were able to go to Disneyworld in late February/early March when it was uncrowded.
@sswallace21 (1824)
• United States
11 Aug 11
10 months seems like alot of time in school. Do they get more breaks? I know some schools go year round but they have 2-3 weeks breaks at a time. Just curious.
2 people like this
@cutepenguin (6430)
• Canada
10 Aug 11
It sounds like you're very well organized.
Just out of curiosity, can any of your kids carpool or take the bus with neighbourhood kids? My dad used to drive me and two of my classmates to volleyball practice together on Mondays. On Wednesdays we all took the public bus together. Then my mom only had to worry about getting my younger sisters to school.
Of course, we lived in the suburbs and went to the same school as about 12 other kids who lived on our street and the next street over, so it was easy.
2 people like this
@dawnald (85137)
• Shingle Springs, California
10 Aug 11
They have to leave ridiculously early to catch the bus. And most of their friends live on the other end of the school, so car pooling isn't very practical.
@ladym33 (10978)
• United States
10 Aug 11
Wow your kids had to start really early. Mine don't start until the 25th. As far as the driving you are in the same boat I was last year, I had three different kids in three different schools it was exhausting to say the least, not to mention I spent literally an hour and a half every afternoon just waiting to pick up and picking up kids. Time I could have been online earning money. My middle child is now in high school, so both my oldest and middle child will be at the same school this year. Thank goodness. Since they will be together they can walk except when it is raining or really cold or really hot out then I will pick them up. I think I am going to put the youngest one on the bus this year, although I am a little scared about it. What if he gets off at the wrong stop? That worries me.
2 people like this
@dawnald (85137)
• Shingle Springs, California
10 Aug 11
At least I don't have to pick them up. The high schooler takes the bus home, the middle schooler walks to the day care at the elementary, and then she and her brother are picked up by her dad. But it's crazy in the morning, that is for sure.
1 person likes this
@bunnybon7 (50970)
• Holiday, Florida
10 Aug 11
very weird. but it seems schools are starting earlier and earlier compared to my kids growing up and way compared to my school yrs. not sure why that is. 
i must be missing something concerning that trend. but then, i know a gal whos kid goes all year around in NY, with only short breaks. 
@blue65packer (11826)
• United States
11 Aug 11
That is weird that where you live school starts the second week of August! Most schools here start the week before Labor Day or the day after Labor Day. That is gradeschool all the way through college. The college I work at we start the school the last week of August. That is what I call school mania! Everyone who has paid for a meal plans comes to eat the first week! The football season is almost here and we feed the football team! (They start practice next week and we start feeding them,too! They eat alot!) So the start of the school year we are busy!
2 people like this
@dawnald (85137)
• Shingle Springs, California
11 Aug 11
I have no idea what the reason is, but the elementary district has moved things in line with the high school district, not sure why the high schools start so early...
@debrakcarey (19887)
• United States
10 Aug 11
Since I've been staying at my daughters I am getting a taste of how much work kids are. I'd forgotten. 
I will be in charge of getting school supplies tomorrow as my daughter has a committment at church with the Clothing Share that day.
My grandkids are 12, 7, 6 and two. I've tried to be as helpful with them as I can be and it is fun, BUT I fall into bed each evening sore and tired, that's for sure. There is a GOOD reason why middle age women do not have children. 
I will be in charge of getting school supplies tomorrow as my daughter has a committment at church with the Clothing Share that day.
My grandkids are 12, 7, 6 and two. I've tried to be as helpful with them as I can be and it is fun, BUT I fall into bed each evening sore and tired, that's for sure. There is a GOOD reason why middle age women do not have children. 1 person likes this
@dawnald (85137)
• Shingle Springs, California
10 Aug 11
Well hello there, long time no see.
Hey, I'm a middle aged woman with children. lol
@dawnald (85137)
• Shingle Springs, California
10 Aug 11
If I am, it's these kids that keep me that way!
@debrakcarey (19887)
• United States
10 Aug 11
NO, I'm thinking more like I'm middle aged and YOU are YOUNG. 
I'm borrowing internet time from my ex. Taking a break from grandkids.
I'm borrowing internet time from my ex. Taking a break from grandkids. 1 person likes this
@vandana7 (102698)
• India
10 Aug 11
I agree...it doesn't make sense. We have year starting on January 1st right? Then why do the schools have to start in August? Ok..if summer of April and May can dehydrate students, then can ensure that it starts In July, why in August..somebody is too intelligent out there and I am feeling dumb...
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85137)
• Shingle Springs, California
10 Aug 11
Traditionally school started after Labor day in September and ended in June. That had to do with harvest times back when many children lived on farms. Now I really don't know the rhyme or reason.
How've you been?
@hardworkinggurl (37062)
• United States
10 Aug 11
Hmm seems a bit early as I remember it use to be late August for my kids. Wow you will be back to the ole routine in no time though as mommies are programmed that way. lol
Sounds like you are already pre-planning so you will have it all mapped out in no time. 
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85137)
• Shingle Springs, California
10 Aug 11
yeah it was all mapped out in my head anyway, at least I've done the middle school thing before, so it wasn't a surprise...
@hardworkinggurl (37062)
• United States
10 Aug 11
As if the deep breaths ever stopped but soon you will be deep breathing again, lol.. Best of luck and oh how I wished I had the days back again. 
well maybe only a couple times a week.
well maybe only a couple times a week. 1 person likes this
@catof1 (683)
• United States
10 Aug 11
It is very hectic I have to admit. Remember this though; you have your kids and you get to take them to school and see them everyday. That in its self is a big blessing. I hope that you fly through the year with out a problem and it becomes a nice unhectic routine! God Bless
2 people like this
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
11 Aug 11
Where Iwent to school we went in the day after labor day always and in the farmng county we got out for 2 weeks to harvest potatoes I lived in Idaho then
THen later moved to Tenn they started school in AUgs. but got out close to 6 weeks I think for cotton picking time. no mater where we got out the last of May.
Now they start so darn early and get out like in June and they dont get out for cotton picking time or Tater Vac as they called it.
Now if ya get snowed out ya have to make up snow days now why could kids get out to help the farmers and still get out hwen they were surpose to and they dont have this nowday but they have to maKE UP SNOW DAYS/?
I do know the teachers have to be thre so many days for thier pay but at the end of a school year the kids should al test and every thing done to pass to the next grade Right?
THis year grand daughter passed onto the next grade had cerimony and every thing but still had to go to school think it was 3 or 4 more day!
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85137)
• Shingle Springs, California
11 Aug 11
when I was growing up in Los Angeles, LA Unified had two schedules. You either started in September or February depending on your birthday. I was a February student, but then after 5th grade, they decided to go to one schedule, so they had to take the kids on the February schedule and either skip them a semester or hold them back a semester. Must've been a nightmare.
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
12 Aug 11
I bet that really was.
Here grnad daughter and grandson altho across town from eah other went to 12 month school now last year they decided to make all schools 9 month schools that one went pretty smooth with the kids butI think some of the teahers had a time adjusting loololol
@carolscash (9491)
• United States
10 Aug 11
I don't think that kids should start school this early in the year unless they intend to get out much earlier. I know if we have any snow, which is a given in the midwestern US, they will go into June of next year. Absolutely crazy!
I home school my daughter and although we will begin next week, we will get out by the end of May and we will take a month off at Christmas. We always do! It is funny how that kids need more and more every year in the public schools and yet we seem to never use all that we have around here.
@sid556 (30953)
• United States
12 Aug 11
Hi Dawn,
Oh I remember those days all to well. I work nights and my girls ages are all spread out and so yes...separate schools and yes...had to drive them. There was always one who would drag and makes everyone late or close to it...just hectic. Now I just have the 17 yr old to get off and so it's all pretty calm and easy now. Starting the 2nd week of August??? Ya that does seem odd. My daughter doesn't start until the day after labor day. Some of the schools are starting up the week before labor day but none earlier than that. Why so early?
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85137)
• Shingle Springs, California
12 Aug 11
Dearra is always the first person I wake, and the last person out the door, but so far we have been pretty much on time.
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
11 Aug 11
Sure is! We still got a few more weeks.. my kids will start September 6 or 7. I also have kids in different schools. The oldest is entering high school, the twins are in the middle school building, and the 5 year old is in elementary school. Next year the youngest should be in preschool also at the elementary school.
Thankfully, all of mine take the bus.
I will probably drop the high schooler off on his first day so that he can get there early, find his locker, and find his first class. After that he's on his own.
The others will ride the bus their first day. The twins should be allright. I will follow the kindergartener's bus to school on the first day just to make sure he finds his teacher allright.
I would say I'm 90% done with school supply shopping. My husband's aunt gave me $200 yesterday and I used it to buy that stupid graphing calculater the oldest needs, and finished up buying backpacks and shoes for the kids. All that's left is a few other little things like more folders, notebooks, etc. I get this stuff a little at a time each week when I do my grocery shopping. So when that's done I can focus on getting the kids some more back to school clothes.
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85137)
• Shingle Springs, California
11 Aug 11
Dadgum bus is something like $220 a year here for round trip. I have Dearra taking the bus home only, and the twins just stay in day care after school. I drop all of them off.
Of course if I ever figured out the gasoline, I might find out that I wasn't saving anything.
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
11 Aug 11
Weird. We don't have to pay for bussing here.
1 person likes this
@much2say (57760)
• Los Angeles, California
13 Aug 11
We were supposed to start in August - but it ended up they decided to push it back another year for whatever reason. So now we're at the beginning of September again. Wow - starting now is rather early. I can imagine how it must be to juggle 3 different schedules - talk about multitasking! For now my almost 2 year old's schedule is pretty flexible, so I focus on my oldest's schedule (1st grader now!) . . . and of course I only have one supply list for now. It'll be interesting when he starts going to school everyday too!! Dawn, you are just super mom !
! 1 person likes this
@dawnald (85137)
• Shingle Springs, California
13 Aug 11
More like "been through it all already" mom... Actually it hasn't been bad at all. The driving's a bit of a pain, but not that awful.
@bounce58 (17380)
• Canada
15 Aug 11
Yes, I still think it's weird!
For me, my youngest will start kindergarten this fall. And they decided to make kindergarten a whole day thing this year which means only one trip to one school in the morning, and one in the afternoon for both kids! Hooray!
Still, just thinking about it, and starting school, and driving to afterschool activities, is already making me tired!
@dawnald (85137)
• Shingle Springs, California
17 Aug 11
That's an awfully long day for a 5 year old! Does it include a nap?
