The most important thing to remember at back to school time is this: everyone is exhausted and out of sorts. People that are used to grazing all day are now back to a square meal at an off-time surrounded by peers. People that used to wake up slowly and adjust with cereal now have to sprint from the moment they open their eyes until they are seated in the car or on the bus. The Vitamin D we spent all summer soaking in is just not there under the harsh lights of the hallways o

When they’re little, your regular persona is Train Conductor. You keep the trains running on time, blow the whistle, get everyone out the door in the car into preschool into childcare into the car in the tub into pajamas into bed. You run a tight ship with little room for error and you always are looking ahead to make sure nothing interferes with the schedule. A little bit older, and you’re the Referee. The game plays itself but you are there to call the lines, interfere when

One of my very favorite singer songwriters Dar Williams wrote a beautiful song called The End of the Summer and one line is resonating right now — “It’s just that time of year, when we push ourselves ahead.” Ugh. I would like to push the pause button and stay right here, because this week starts preseason and that means I officially have three high schoolers and summer is over. Yes, we will still have some beach time and yes Labor Day Weekend is still a few weeks away, but Mo

I saw a friend post this week on FB about how her child made a batch of zucchini bread from scratch, and someone commented “get her on the Whatever Kids Bake Show.” I’m in an online book group — a FB group where people recommend books — and every once in a while someone prompts everyone to post their progress. Like 25/50! I guess if you are challenging yourself to read more, that could be motivating. But I’m thinking if people are already in a “reads” group, and already readi

Somehow between a massive heatwave and who knows what else, it’s August. AUGUST. August as in the month of back to school and errands and haircuts and finalizing the health forms and getting nervous about summer reading and finding shoes that fit and preseason and carpooling and bus schedules. August is here, and sorry but not ready yet. Because we all know how it goes. August happens and then it’s homecoming and Halloween and the holidays and then the new year and then and t