As the first day of school arrives, I want to take a moment to express my gratitude. Thank you for everything you do. After surviving a summer filled with the delightful chaos of my little ones, I am once again reminded of how essential you are. I truly don’t know how you manage to handle a classroom full of energetic kids, but you deserve all the recognition, rewards, and perhaps a glass of wine for your efforts.
Alongside that immense thank you, I owe you an equally significant apology. Back in May, I had grandiose ideas for how our summer would unfold. We would have a family book club, tackle math facts, conduct kitchen science experiments, learn a new language, and even practice piano together! I envisioned my kids returning to school this fall sharper than they were in the spring.
Well, about that… I’m sorry.
I apologize that our summer slide transformed into a full-on “summer slip and slide.” We started with ambitious plans to read more, but the lure of the pool was too strong. I regret letting the worksheets gather dust and not maintaining a writing journal or keeping up with math facts. While I intended to carve out educational time, some days it felt like a full-time job just ensuring my kids didn’t turn on each other. Math practice simply didn’t make the cut.
I’m sorry that we’ve become total strangers to the concept of a schedule. Popsicles on the couch? Check. Dinner in front of the TV? Absolutely. Bedtimes? What are those? We let a swim in the pool substitute for bath time for far too long. Our meals ranged from cookies for breakfast to pancakes for dinner, and I sincerely apologize for that as well.
I feel bad about the lack of good habits we didn’t establish and the questionable ones we did adopt over the summer. We stayed up late, spent countless hours at the pool, and perfected our cannonballs. We collected shells, climbed trees, and even took spontaneous road trips. We indulged in movies and ran through the rain, balancing being both lazy and busy at once. We embraced the joy of being kids, and while I apologize for many things, I’m not sorry for that.
You understand, don’t you? Kids need the freedom to just be kids. My apologies might be more for my own internal struggle than for you, as we navigate this busy, achievement-focused culture that often makes us feel inadequate for simply allowing our children to enjoy their childhood.
So as I drop off my wild little one, I want to extend my deepest gratitude and my sincerest apologies. I’m sorry that in these initial days—who am I kidding, the first few weeks—we will be a whirlwind of overtired kids who have forgotten how to sit still for even a few minutes, let alone focus on reading or math. Our lax summer routines and sugar-fueled antics will undoubtedly make your challenging job even tougher.
I apologize that while you’re also adjusting back to the school year, you’ll be helping these sun-kissed, sticky, exuberant beings transition into a more structured environment. I can only imagine how tempting it might be to seek refuge in the supply closet with a bottle of bourbon during those early days, yet you will greet our children with warmth and enthusiasm, asking them all about their summer adventures, fully aware the answers won’t involve math facts or reading logs.
Thank you for your superhero-like patience and for being an incredible educator. Godspeed as we embark on another school year. Here’s to surviving until summer rolls around again!