My last semester of college was a cake
walk. I took three classes, worked part time and basically enjoyed the last
four months of college to the fullest extent. I was fortunate enough to have a
job right after graduation. I went from a pretty sweet schedule to being thrown
into a job where I actually had to be productive 40 hours a week. I’m not
complaining, I loved my job and worked hard at it, but DANG…after those several
months of easy street, adjusting to a 40 hour work week was a pretty big deal.
I’m sure I slept a little more and needed some extra down time at night until I
got in the routine of it and my body adjusted to actually getting up before
10am on a daily basis!
Fast forward a few years, I now have a
kindergartener on my hands. She went to preschool for two years prior, going
three days a week, and learned a lot and played a lot. This summer I worked less
and we played even more. We got her all ready to start school, talking about
how fun it would be etc and she was truly excited to start school. The first
week went well…the second week, my sweet little girl started some behaviors
that were not so pleasant for all of us…We are starting week four and there is
still adjustment going on. Like me, the new college grad, she is having to cope
with five whole days of having to follow rules, learn, eat in a certain amount
of time, do homework etc. Compared to the last five years of her life, this is
one heck of a HUGE adjustment! Of course she is going to act like a little
booger here and there. She is not capable of saying to me, “Mommy school is
really taxing on my brain and energy level so I need to take a little break and
go to bed earlier”. Nope, she just knows how to be a booger, which is how five
year olds communicate all these new things she is trying to process. But it’s made me take a step back and be
patient with her adjustment and know that she will get in the swing of things
and my sweet little girl should hopefully return to normal….hopefully.
Now that school has been in session
for several weeks now, I urge parents to consider what all kids need to adjust
to with each new school year, not just kindergarten. Getting to know new teachers,
new routines, new friends and bigger demands on their brains is hard work. So I
encourage you to be there for the kids, encourage them, play with them and
hopefully be able to schedule in some down time for them each night. Be patient
if their behaviors change just a little…it’s normal. (of course I am in NO way
saying that bad behaviors be excused because of this, but to remember, there is
probably a good reason they are acting they way they are and not just to make
you crazy!)
I hope everyone is having a GREAT
start to the school year, before we know it the teachers will be rejoicing for
Christmas break I am sure!
And as always, no matter what you are
facing in life and need some help, I am here! Call if you would like to make an
appointment, as I am here Monday through Thursday! Call me at 636-294-5490!
HAVE A GREAT WEEK EVERYONE!!!!
