First Day Back

Newsletter 2023-08-02

Barring some horrible calamity, by the time you read this, my kids should be back in school. If you were hoping to hear celebratory fireworks and bells ringing in the distance, you’ll be disappointed. School is more work for me than summer break, which was more work than the end of the school year, which was more work than the rest of the school year, which was more work than the prior summer break. I always think the next phase will be easier than the current one, and I’m always wrong, yet I refuse to adjust my expectations. It’s the only way I can get out of bed in the morning. I rely on delusional optimism the way most people depend on coffee. The lead-up to the start of school is always pure chaos, and this year was no exception. I’m writing this on First Day of School Eve, when we’re still not sure which kids are supposed to be in which places at which times. This is the ninth year in a row that I’ve had at least one kid in school. You’d think I’d have the hang of this by now, yet somehow, I manage to continually get worse. If I get the kids out the door at all tomorrow morning, it will be a minor miracle. Where the kids end up after that is anyone’s guess. It’s going to be a long school year.