What Was I Thinking?!
I blinked and August was gone. For some reason, every year, I forget how absolutely insane August is. Where we live in Georgia, school starts insanely early compared to where we used to live in Texas. I think that was part of the mental blackout I now have around the month of August, at least for this year. But sweet baby Jesus in a manger, what was I thinking promising you all a full on GUIDE to navigating SpEd as parents in the month of August?! Clearly I was under-caffeinated at the time of that blog post writing. Or maybe over-caffeinated. Either way. Not good. I promise, that is still coming and as soon as I figure out some above my head technical stuff on this website, I’ll be ready. But my Tech Support (aka Husband) has also been in the thick of this back to school nonsense with me so there’s that. Oh yah, and we’re 3 months into our new home and trying to still settle in. LIFE, friends.
The perfect homemade latte.
Surely I’m Not Alone
In the spirit of “what else was I thinking?!” during the month of August, I present a totally un-comprehensive list because I have certainly forgotten some memorable moments:
Agreeing to host visitors back to back weekends (please keep in mind I work full time in an office…and who has the energy to turn sheets on the guest bedroom on a weeknight?! Not this girl).
Attempting to schedule play dates for my children in the first 3 weeks of school. This is a terrible idea for many reasons, mostly that we are all exhausted as school ramps back up. 100% under-caffeinated on that one.
Attempting to actually cook 5 dinners a week…LOLOLOL. Enough said on that one. Costco pre-made, pop in the oven meals FTW. Nanny’s frozen lasagna also FTW, let’s be really real.
Asking my children where my phone is while I’m holding it in my hand. #MomWin
Setting umpteen reminders but then ignoring the reminders because Mom Brain and Perimenopause is the real struggle.
Losing the battle on sending chips as snacks. This is usually a late April/May battle but here we are…in August. Go with the Lord, folks.
Back To School
I think for any working parents, back to school is its own special brand of an emotional rollercoaster. And I don’t mean the smooth, metal, high tech ones. I mean the old school wooden ones that didn’t even have seatbelts that were really just brain rattlers. When you add in parenting neurodiverse children, it truly is on another level. The amount of prep work is just higher. The already large mental load parents (mostly moms, but dads, too) carry is so heavy. Yes, August is hard. It will be for the foreseeable future.
And YET even with an exhausted brain and a heart that holds its breath for the first few weeks of hearing the afterschool reports - will other kids be kind? Will they sit by themselves? How many phone calls will I get? Do teachers need to be gently yet firmly reminded about IEP accommodations, again?, etc… - I can honestly say this August I’ve leaned harder into giving grace to myself and my family than I ever have. I could have beat myself up over the lack of writing I got done this month. What good would that have done though? Instead, I worked on breathing more. I asked for help in getting the guest room ready. I went to the doctor for some actual self-care that I’d put off for 8 months (do not recommend - make the appointment, get the bloodwork done). I used the drive home more strategically to decompress to try and be more present and grounded when I did get home.
Not complaining about the help from the kids in making the guest bed!
Bring on Fall
We’re officially in the ‘Ber months and I’m truly grateful. I am beyond ready for cooler weather and less humidity. The great news is that the kids have settled into school. Other kids are truly kind. They eat with friends every day. We have photos on the walls of our home thanks to our sweet friends who came to visit. And I survived August. Here’s to embracing survival, grace, and getting the right amount of coffee.
Love you, mean it, friends.
Our faces as soon as the bus left on the first morning of school…we made it!