tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-460311140317714777.post8642208531173948822..comments2024-03-29T05:04:25.398-07:00Comments on The Larson Lingo: Back to School is kicking my butt. Is it kicking yours too?mel @ the larson lingohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06609533871423094530noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-460311140317714777.post-32943092032537434542013-09-23T06:42:32.666-07:002013-09-23T06:42:32.666-07:00I make my kids play in their own rooms and they ar...I make my kids play in their own rooms and they are not allowed to play with each other if they are fighting. They hate it and want to play with each other again.<br /><br />I think doing homework in the car is a great idea, one less thing to do when you get home. <br /><br />I would have some snacks in the car, then they will have food in them and be a bit happier by the time you get home.<br /><br />Good Luck, it will get better. Sarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05998179030959263825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-460311140317714777.post-74442198618810151372013-09-22T19:11:54.702-07:002013-09-22T19:11:54.702-07:00You are not alone! It is so hard! But it WILL pass...You are not alone! It is so hard! But it WILL pass quickly...I try to spend 15-20 minutes when we get home with my undivided attention on the kids...playing if possible...so hard to muster up, but so beneficial to the kids...and ME! Makes a huge difference in the rest of our day. As far as the house goes....whatevs! It can wait. Good luck! Praying the next 4 weeks are smoother than the last.Laurahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08142767774994432801noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-460311140317714777.post-62945063355771288922013-09-22T18:23:13.375-07:002013-09-22T18:23:13.375-07:00You are NOT alone! Kinder and first grade are lig...You are NOT alone! Kinder and first grade are light years apart in their expectations and it's a CRAZY HARD adjustment for everyone. I am so grateful that we have busing here in GA because on the few days I've done the car rider line I thought I was in purgatory! One thing that has helped A TON and I would recommend trying...I don't even attempt homework with my first grader until my 4 year old is in bed. My 4 year old is in bed at 7:45 and then my big boy and I do homework (usually 15 or so minutes) and then we read together for 15-20 minutes, pray, and then turn out the light by 8:30. Hugs, Mel!Charla Liedahlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12796959628598271551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-460311140317714777.post-75163930833794195902013-09-22T15:31:32.367-07:002013-09-22T15:31:32.367-07:00I'm in the same spot as you, 1st grade and PK,...I'm in the same spot as you, 1st grade and PK, OMG! plus extra curricular activities.... I'm dying here, and what about the lunches??? I even send a Nutella Sandwich and didin't eat it! ggrrhhhh....<br />Hopefully it'll get better....Cristinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05156072066060892518noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-460311140317714777.post-12239897752775504822013-09-22T09:07:12.281-07:002013-09-22T09:07:12.281-07:00Yes I find that those first few hours between gett...Yes I find that those first few hours between getting out of school and dinner are so hard. I have found that if we have a routine after school that really helps.....clean out backpacks, wash hands and then snack. I also have the snack waiting on the table so it is ready when we walk in the door. Maybe you could have one ready for the girls to eat in the car on the way home. My little one needs some down time after school so I make her lay on the could with a show on.<br /><br />I am no longer hard on myself if we have pizza, breakfast, or sandwiches for dinner. To make up for that I make Sunday night dinners special. <br /><br />Good luck!<br /><br />Good luck!!Kellihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04104100135764091440noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-460311140317714777.post-90432670113939901682013-09-22T07:21:31.896-07:002013-09-22T07:21:31.896-07:00I am really happy you posted this because I love t...I am really happy you posted this because I love that it shares real life! <br /><br />We have the opposite problem with school. My boys are used to getting a lot of activity so all the sitting all day makes them super insanely energetic after school. We have to make sure to get tons of exercise in or our house is miserable. It took awhile to figure this out when they started kindergarten.<br /><br />Fortunately with year round school, we have 9 weeks of craziness and then we get a break. During breaks we run and run and run them!LauraChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14322568136833382134noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-460311140317714777.post-88821807903776141152013-09-21T21:40:42.470-07:002013-09-21T21:40:42.470-07:00you are SO not alone. I am with you 100%. Hugs a...you are SO not alone. I am with you 100%. Hugs and lots of prayers coming your way. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07252639343325148245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-460311140317714777.post-32428315835181210412013-09-21T13:56:37.122-07:002013-09-21T13:56:37.122-07:00I don't have kids, but I'm a first year mi...I don't have kids, but I'm a first year middle school teacher and I have never felt so overwhelmed in my life. Back to school is kicking my butt too! I just keep hoping that eventually I'll find a routine that works, and I know you will too!Rachelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02148837848014417605noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-460311140317714777.post-22641764715402973122013-09-21T11:41:46.422-07:002013-09-21T11:41:46.422-07:00I am right there! I just finished week 4 of my sen...I am right there! I just finished week 4 of my senior year of college, and oh. my. goodness. My apartment is a disaster because I'm never home (and don't have time to clean when I am), books are everywhere, laundry is in piles instead of in the hampers, I have 3 planners going right now... This semester is starting to feel like a runaway train.Emilyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03534813566786684800noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-460311140317714777.post-37095259703714996222013-09-21T09:29:50.481-07:002013-09-21T09:29:50.481-07:00I read this post on my bloglovin app last night an...I read this post on my bloglovin app last night and knew I needed to get on the computer so I could comment! Holy heck! I have NEVER been more tired in my life and I don't even have kids! This teaching thing is absolutely the most rewarding and exhausting thing I have ever done. I can hardly stay away past 8 on a week night and am sleeping 12 hours on the weekends! Even when I was in accounting I wasn't this exhausted! I feel like I am go-go-go all day everyday and there are not enough hours in the day. Here's to hoping for a slow-down in the near future!Sarah Tuckerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15342898150326569953noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-460311140317714777.post-81672728752698889162013-09-21T09:15:00.301-07:002013-09-21T09:15:00.301-07:00OMG! Thank you SO much for this post! I have to la...OMG! Thank you SO much for this post! I have to laugh at that picture of the girls, that is hilarious. I feel your pain. I literally get anxiety driving home from work thinking about the storm that is about to hit, the storm meaning homework, dinner, baths, fighting, bed time. Not to mention by the time that is all said and done the house looks like a tornado went thru and half the time I am too exhausted to do anything about it. I keep telling myself it wont be like this forever and it will be so boring to have a quiet and clean house when they are older and gone but just feeling like I had some sort of control or a schedule would be wonderful :) Good luck, we are all in this game together and we are doing the best we can! You are not alone :)The Templeton'shttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13643283671045506037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-460311140317714777.post-35322353423343399642013-09-21T08:46:14.382-07:002013-09-21T08:46:14.382-07:00Skoglund5 is absolutely correct! My MIL told me th...Skoglund5 is absolutely correct! My MIL told me the very same thing when my boys were younger and we were having these issues. The tiredness and crankiness does get easier as they get older, but if they are in sports etc.. the crazy schedule doesn't really slow down especially during the school year. In our house, an early bedtime really seems to help for BOTH<br />the adults and kids! I used to stay up until 11pm most nights, watching tv,<br />catching up on cleaning, and surfing the net and or checking email and then wondered why I was so tired the next day by the afternoon. Now I'm in bed most weekdays by 9:30 or 10 pm. This doesn't usually mean that I'm asleep by then but I read or just relax and slow down. My boys are in bed most nights by 10pm and they are 13 and 16 yr olds. I know this isn't the answer for everyone and it doesn't work for out every night for us if we have a busy evening that day. A few years ago I even pushed back bedtime by 15 to 20 min when I noticed they were more tired than normal. Just an idea but you want try that too. Trust me, it does get easier! stephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15435256333173773145noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-460311140317714777.post-40983192512955383132013-09-21T08:17:48.229-07:002013-09-21T08:17:48.229-07:00I know this is a tough season. I have 3 kids in el...I know this is a tough season. I have 3 kids in elementary so homework and after school activities are all consuming. I realized a few years back that this is what happens after working so hard to be good all day. My kids dont want to get in trouble in school, so they are perfect all day long. They get home and suddenly everything they have been holding in all day comes out and is directed at their siblings. It will get better!Skoglund5https://www.blogger.com/profile/08268583097928495820noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-460311140317714777.post-17551636726312318662013-09-21T02:50:21.512-07:002013-09-21T02:50:21.512-07:00Oh my yes. Yes yes yes. I keep wondering if our ...Oh my yes. Yes yes yes. I keep wondering if our similar issues are due to our move two months ago, but we are experiencing the same. Last night I happily embraced the Mel Pizza and Eine in Friday night plan. Raised a glass of Syrah! And....ordered a fall candle from Cost Plus. :). Hang in. You aren't alone. And in my humble opinion, you don't have to embrace and savor this time----it is crazy and hard many days and frankly----a time I won't missChristinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10479355541776155882noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-460311140317714777.post-9631261107989751412013-09-21T02:33:44.831-07:002013-09-21T02:33:44.831-07:00Is that picture of the girls from today? :( The wh...Is that picture of the girls from today? :( The whole time I kept thinking, THAT's what happened and maybe why you didn't come over! And 1st to 2nd is a big jump, too so hearing about the Big Book of Homework probably had you really looking forward to it ;) From one taxi cabber to another, you are not alone and this will get better! Loved what Tricia said above because I live by that exact statement-it's so very, very true and it completely grounds me in my weakest of moments...Embrace the Crazy for it will be gone too soon!Kristinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16071718537817896904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-460311140317714777.post-72099433041413578852013-09-20T21:22:44.385-07:002013-09-20T21:22:44.385-07:00Honey, hang in there. It's an adjustment FOR S...Honey, hang in there. It's an adjustment FOR SURE. The girls will make it, month 2 will be better. You can do it! (With wine.)Tegan | Celebrate Twelve13https://www.blogger.com/profile/16272115671303072850noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-460311140317714777.post-36850244614797614772013-09-20T19:42:29.883-07:002013-09-20T19:42:29.883-07:00Have you ever considered homeschooling? I taught i...Have you ever considered homeschooling? I taught in a public school until my son was born. Now I homeschool him and love it. (I never thought I would homeschool!) The whole time I was reading your post I was thinking, "she should just homeschool her kids!" :)Karinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00356679849065844404noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-460311140317714777.post-11151937042806851682013-09-20T19:13:08.336-07:002013-09-20T19:13:08.336-07:00car pick up line is the WORST! Seriously. If the b...car pick up line is the WORST! Seriously. If the buses actually didn't take an hour to get my kids home, I'd make them ride. I leave my house at 2:00 PM to get in Jayce's car line at 2:20. Then I go straight to Jaina's school and get in line by 2:35. Then I wait until the line starts moving at 3:20. We get home at 3:50. I have to let Jocelyn nap from 11-2 because there is no way she'd make it through two hours of car line and stay asleep in the car. *Jess*https://www.blogger.com/profile/05190888590178233798noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-460311140317714777.post-84150992300458854232013-09-20T19:05:10.828-07:002013-09-20T19:05:10.828-07:00I feel for you, but have no advice since I'm a...I feel for you, but have no advice since I'm at home with a 11 month old and 2 year old! The good news is that it can't get worse, right? It has to get better at some point! Hang in there mama! And TGIF! :-) Sarah E @ theteacherswife.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13483306344673617307noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-460311140317714777.post-27264494766602416802013-09-20T17:16:17.661-07:002013-09-20T17:16:17.661-07:00Girl! Vent! Let it all out! And I will send win...Girl! Vent! Let it all out! And I will send wine. And a candle that smells yummy. You need both.Mix and Match Mamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05376029736474498758noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-460311140317714777.post-9113877846231381712013-09-20T16:24:28.071-07:002013-09-20T16:24:28.071-07:00Oh ya...I am struggling too. I have two in elemen...Oh ya...I am struggling too. I have two in elementary, one in middle and one in high school. Plus 3 different sports in 3 different cities and a toddler that as you said "praise God" is happy and doesn't mind sitting in the car from 2-8 most days (with a break here and there). Plus school pictures, 3 different back to school nights and sometimes we have 12 games on the weekends! <br /><br />It's so hard to be a mama. It would be a lot easier for me if my kids didn't do competitive sports (I won't even tell you how much time and money that devours) but it's their passion and as their mama...I just gotta do it. <br /><br />I'm always exhausted and have been pretty down the past couple weeks (Nate should have started Kinder) but deep down...I focus on being Joyful! God gave me these awesome kids and I am trying to enjoy every moment. Someday...the house will be quiet and the car will be empty. That will be a very, very sad day.<br /><br />Embrace the Crazy my friend - it will be gone too soon!!!!Trisha Larsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02426915708825675793noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-460311140317714777.post-90967009185571819542013-09-20T15:28:16.209-07:002013-09-20T15:28:16.209-07:00Hugs!! I don't have kids so can't feel you...Hugs!! I don't have kids so can't feel you 100% but lady, keep on truckin' and you will hopefully get into your groove!<br /><br />My parents would always tell my brothers and I that they felt like taxi drivers as well - shipping us to various sporting practices, dance recitals, after school things, to school, from school. I am EXHAUSTED even thinking about it. <br /><br />I will be thinking of you and hope you find your new normal soon!!!Sarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11250518563305684519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-460311140317714777.post-79635176393775455912013-09-20T15:17:24.773-07:002013-09-20T15:17:24.773-07:00I hear you LOUD and CLEAR!! And I have been doing ...I hear you LOUD and CLEAR!! And I have been doing this longer than you! We have a Junior in high school and a 4th grader. I NEVER look forward to school starting. I never have. I don't voice that to my kids, of course, because they both LOVE school, but I really have a hard time letting go of the care-free days of summer. I consider myself a very organized person but this year in particular, it has taken me longer to get back into a routine. The 2nd week in, my 4th grader was up until 11:30pm one night getting ready for his first oral report of the school year. ELEVEN.THIRTY! Two days later was his first re-structure day of the school year and neither my husband or myself remembered it was an early release day and the poor guy had to call and ask if we forgot we were supposed to pick him up! NEVER has that happened before and NEVER will it happen again...the GUILT!! That told me right then and there that I needed to kick it into gear. Yikes! I remember when my daughter was your girls ages, her first grade teacher warned us about the 1st grade melt down. The switch from Kinder to 1st is a BIG jump. So, it's completely normal and I hear it lasts anywhere from 1-2 months. And perhaps that's true for Claire too...or maybe she is just feeling what Kate's going through (sympathy pangs?). One thing we've always done that worked well for us was to let them get home from school and have about 45 minutes to have a snack and watch some TV or play outside before starting homework. Would that work for the girls? Could you give Claire some "homework" to do while Kate's doing hers? I'm sure you've already thought of everything but I just thought I'd throw it out there! Hang in there!! This too really shall pass : ). Hugs to you and imagine me clinking a glass of wine to yours!!Danahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08195475813741891824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-460311140317714777.post-14502415931489560842013-09-20T15:12:19.838-07:002013-09-20T15:12:19.838-07:00Yes, kicking my ass too. You are not alone. Except...Yes, kicking my ass too. You are not alone. Except that I have moved on to harder things like G&Ts starting at 4:45...thanks for keeping it real, Mel!! Abby Mazanechttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09952577670982841352noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-460311140317714777.post-75127391042610205482013-09-20T15:12:15.348-07:002013-09-20T15:12:15.348-07:00Yes, kicking my ass too. You are not alone. Except...Yes, kicking my ass too. You are not alone. Except that I have moved on to harder things like G&Ts starting at 4:45...thanks for keeping it real, Mel!! Abby Mazanechttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09952577670982841352noreply@blogger.com