The School Year Time Machine

By Emily King

I love New Years resolutions.  While some people moan and groan at the “new year, new me” social media posts and flocks of newbies at the gym, I love setting goals and the wishful thinking that I’ll actually accomplish them. I’m still working on replacing my Diet Pepsi addiction with water . . . maybe someday. 

Back to school time has always had the same feeling for me. I loved starting the year with a set of freshly sharpened pencils, my favorite new outfit from Hills, and a spotless new Lisa Frank backpack. I remember the anticipation of driving up to the school to see the class lists posted on the front door, hopeful that my best friends would be in my class. 

I have the same feeling of excitement for my kids as they embark on a new adventure with new friends to make, subjects to learn, and challenges to overcome. 

This year, my oldest boy is going into 7^th grade and moving up to the upper campus of our school district. His bus will come earlier, he’ll get home earlier, and he’ll be adjusting to a new building and routine. It will be a year of changes for us, but aren’t they all?

As a parent, the new school year can be bittersweet, as it’s a reminder of the passing of time, of your kids being one year further away from being sweet little babies. You compare their “first day of school photos” from the year before—or maybe two years before, if you’re inconsistent about said photos like me—and wonder how they grew so quickly. 

When I start feeling sad about the supersonic speed of time these days, I try to channel that emotion into excitement for them. I remember my seventh-grade year, the friends I made, the memories I made. I don’t want to live vicariously through my kids (I’ve witnessed too many obsessed sports parents for that) but I will be their biggest cheerleader as they go through life.

We wish you the best start as you and your kids embark on a new school year! We hope it’s filled with fun memories, favorite teachers, new friends and old friends.