Days of gloves and apron (a mother's back to school experience)

The kids have just started a new school year, Abraham is now a 7^th grader and Lemuel is in 5^th grade. So far, both enjoyed being back in school after a 3-month break. They had to change from a year round track to a traditional track that is why they had an extra month of rest. For them, it was a long summer filled with long and short trips, lots of e-games, DVD, and TV hours. We let them enjoy their vacation to the fullest but from time to time reminded them of the house rules once they go back to school. A typical school week in our household is:

• No TV, video, or computer games from Monday to Thursday. Leisure activities start Friday night to end on Saturday night.
  

• Bed time strictly at 10 PM, up time is exactly 6:15 AM, without extension.
  

• Home works are priorities and free hours will be spent on advance readings of class lessons or reading a book from the California Reading List of their level.

Aside from $5 for every “A” mark at quarter's reporting period, we recently implemented a new incentive for reading. A dollar for every book finished with at least ten vocabulary words and its meanings written on a sheet of paper after reading. As of this writing, Lemuel, the more enthusiastic reader, had finished four books for the week. He earned $4 plus lots of hugs and kisses from Mommy.

Abraham showed a big improvement too, aside from his 3.667 GPA last semester, he showed more enthusiasm doing his home works, he is also more obedient and inquisitive in a good sense.

Maybe this is because they/we had a very good summer that they/we can still savor every moment of it, it was exciting and relaxing at the same time. We treasure the experience and somehow made an agreement that we will try our best to keep the momentum and maintain a peaceful and harmonious atmosphere at home despite them being back to school. The children promised to cooperate. So for over a week now, both Abraham and Lemuel keep up with the family schedule and sticked to the rules. A far cry from the scenario we had last school year, and the neighbors are enjoying it most. And although they missed hearing my voice in the mornings and at night, I’m sure they still prefer silence. I/we hope this set up stays for until the end of the school year – forever is better.

What is really “Back to School” for a working mom like? These are the days when my electronic gadgets are replaced by the phenomenal gloves and apron. As soon as I park the car, no time to change clothes, I hit the kitchen and prepare food for the following day, for today’s breakfast and dinner were prepared the other day. Dinner is served shortly, pans, plates, glasses washed afterwards.

Back to school means getting up at 5 AM to reach the office the earliest possible time and leave the soonest possible time too. Back to school is mothering on a tight schedule, as I put it. It also means not having to worry about putting-on weight despite overeating because the carbs will be burned naturally by running to the office parking lot each afternoon, which is two blocks from the building by the ways, because Abraham is already waiting at his school’s parking lot. And I should be there sooner, for my cell phone will keep on ringing every five minutes. Challenging, yes, but mothers are made to endure anyways, I enjoy school days actually, and I love being of service to my children. Back to school is challenging for fathers too – I’m sure they have their own story to tell…

By and large, mothers and housewives are the only workers who do not have regular time off. They are the great vacation less class. Anne Morrow Lindbergh