Motherhood…Unprepared

It’s the first day of school here at the Motherhood…Unprepared household and we were….unprepared.

I thought I had everything together last night - lunches made, backpacks packed, clothes laid out. But, I forgot to get the paper towels, kleenex, baby wipes bags put together. So, I had to run around this morning putting that together. At least I got a good picture this morning.

Yeah, Steven’s got a funny look on his face, but can I tell you how hard it is to get a photo where all 3 are smiling? Nigh impossible. God was smiling today.

I got Maggie & Steven to school, put Henry in the stroller and walked them in. Took Maggie to her class, got her settled, gave her a hug and backed away. We’ve entered that age where I’m embarrassing to her, so I had to reign my crazy in. “No pictures, Mom.” Which, as a scrapper, is like asking me not to breathe. But, I honored her request. But I cheated a little by asking her friend, Alyssa, if I could take a picture of her & Maggie together. Alyssa was all for it, so I got away with it. Phew. But no “at her desk” or “in front of her locker” picture this year. Maybe I can coerce her later.

Then we took Steven to his room. He was in the same room as last year. Steven gets really, really nervous before stuff like this and kind of shuts down. It’s part of his Asperger’s. I was hoping that because the room’s the same, the teacher’s the same and there are friends he already knows, he might get past that more easily, but he didn’t. He literally stands out in the hall, kind of shaking a little bit, refusing to enter the room. This year, at least, he was talking. He just whispered, “I’m too nervous”. After about 5 minutes (and a bribe of ice cream for being brave), he did it. Walked in, slowly, put his lunchbox in its place and got in line for chapel. I offered to empty his backpack into his desk and hang it up for him. By the time I did that, he was in line, talking to his BFF, Christian. Good job, buddy. Really good job.

We prayed for the school year on the way - asking for God’s strength and guidance in dealing with the obstacles that come up and helping them to be kind, make friends and do what needs to be done. For Steven, especially, for the ability to deal with frustration, anger and impatience by remembering to take deep breaths and asking for help when he needs it. I pray God just attaches to him and helps him to have a better year.

Then I took Henry to school. And was greeted by his teacher saying, “What are you doing here??” Apparently, their school starts on the 10th. Even though the calendar they sent home a couple weeks ago said it started today. Apparently the pre-k and early childhood kids start later. Way to communicate, y’all. But….I guess I was the only one to show up, so maybe it’s just that I can’t read. But, I got to talk to the teacher about scheduling an IEP to get Henry a one-on-one aide this week while the kids aren’t there yet, so that worked out. Though Henry was MAD that we left without him getting to stay & play with Miss Ally. We got in the car and he cried and said, “Car.  Ally.” Aw.

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