A simple Google search will show you image after image of moms cheering for the start of a new school year. This is what bothers me. Moms, who are essentially thrilled at the fact that someone else will be caring for her children. It isn't about homeschooling. It isn't about back to school pictures. I'm not against public school. I'm obviously a fan of homeschooling but that doesn't mean I think if you don't homeschool you're a crappy parent. I'm also a huge fan of my kids, so that's why memes like these don't make any sense to me. Are my kids impeccably behaved? Of course not. Do I think I'm a better parent? Nope. I fail everyday. There isn't a harder job in the world than being a parent and nobody has it down perfectly. But I can not, and will not ever understand how a person can jump for joy over their babies being gone all day long, five days a week, and for the majority of the year. I enjoy my kids! I don't need a break from them! There will be plenty of time for "breaks" when they're grown and off on their own, going to college, getting married and having babies. I totally get that it's overwhelming sometimes...I have FIVE for goodness sake.
What kind of message do the meme's above send to kids who need their mom, though? "It's a joke! The kids are in on it too. They're laughing with her." I'd be laughing too if my mom were leaping all over the driveway like an idiot. But ultimately, jokes like these really say, "'Me time' means more to me than spending it with you." This attitude toward back to school will come back to bite 'em too...
By all means, be excited for your kids' excitement about school. Be proud of them. Take their picture on the first day showing off their new clothes. Just don't throw a party cause you've been relieved of your parental duties for the day, Monday through Friday, and until next May. Enough of my opinions though. I just felt the need to clarify my stance on the subject because it was never intended to offend anyone or to toot my own horn.
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