Friday, 08 January 2010

• Back to School Blues

   

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  When I was young I never liked going back to school after a break, especially winter break.  This probably had to do with the fact that the start-back-up date for school was almost always on my birthday, January 4.  Who wants to go back to school on their birthday?!? 

  Going back to school was also difficult for me because I am, well, I am complicated.  I am a creature of habit, a person who needs and thrives on structure but I also love having the freedom to do whatever I want when I want.  Having said that the structure of school was good for me and when I was in the routine I was pretty content but when that structure was taken away (even for a week or two) I would begin to enjoy my freedom from scheduled days. 

  I would fight nail and tooth not to go back to school.  I remember throwing hissy fits and not sleeping during a few nights leading up to the big day back.  I even remember begging my mom to home school me so that I wouldn’t have to go back to school anymore.  (My idea of home schooling was being allowed to do whatever I wanted to, ha). 

  The first day back at school would be a nightmare, at least in my mind.  I didn’t want to be in class, I didn’t feel like socializing but eventually (by lunch) I would already be getting back into the swing of things.  By the time recess arrived I was out in the school yard playing kickball and having a grand ol’ time. 

  Within a couple days of being back at school I would be absolutely fine with my schedule, structured, routine once again.  I wish I could say that as an adult my issues with change dissipated but that is so not the truth.  I still struggle to get back to work after having some time off.  But I also know that so many others go through similar feelings about returning to a structured schedule after having time off. 

  Now when I am dreading going back to work I make lists.  Lists of fun things I can do in the near future.  Lists of all the positive things I have in my life.  Even writing down a list of my friends and seeing on paper how blessed I am for each and every one of them makes me feel better.  Sometimes I just need a little reminder that my life is not so bad even when it has to be so structured most of the time. 

  I hope that when I have children I can find ways to make their transitions from break to back to school a little bit easier too. 

  Do your children have a tough time going back to school after a break?  Have you found anything that helps them to adjust?

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