10 Things To Do When Your Kids Are At School

Last year my baby started grade one. And I think we all know what that means right??? Several hours, several days a week WITHOUT CHILDREN.

Now let me set the stage for you a bit before I proceed. I know that this is a big moment when it happens for all of us. And we feel this milestone in different ways.

My daughter was thrilled to be in full time school, FINALLY. And I was thrilled too. So it was a wonderful happy day all around! Three kids in school! All day! They take the bus!

For the first time in 9.5 years, I have a tiny bit of FREE TIME! ME TIME!

Now do not confuse this with all the dishes and laundry and dusting and lunch making and putting to bed, and picking up and grocery shopping, and kids home sick and helping out, and husbands and play dates and school projects, etc, but there are actually days when I can carve out my OWN TIME…if I make it a priority! And occasionally I do.

Here are a few of the things I did last year while my kids were away:

• 10.  Turned everything off and listened to the QUIET. The sweet, sweet quiet.
• 9. Snuck some of their crap out of the house – not enough, but it’s a start, although they keep finding more.
• 8. Bought and listened to music. New music. And I listened to music more recent than 2005. And hardly any of that music was from an animated movie.
• 7. I went to a couple of matinees BY MYSELF. This one makes me giddy.
• 6. Grew an indoor garden. It’s not huge or fancy but my husband thinks it’s cool. And that’s saying a lot.
• 5. Read books. Sometimes for a whole morning at a time.
• 4. Ate my own lunch. And it wasn’t Mac and Cheese. Or barely ate lunch at all if I didn’t feel like it. Or had lunch with FRIENDS. In fancy places where they bring you food and take it all away when you are finished.
• 3. Went shopping without my kids. No one cried. No one made me buy gum. No shopping carts were harmed. It was perfectly charming. And occasionally I bought clothes that didn’t come from the kids department.
• 2. I took a little time to take care of myself. Had a nap, a bath, used moisturizer, rode my bike.
• 1. I made a new friend. In person. Like real life. And that is a beautiful thing.

So this year, instead of feeling all sad as the days start to grow shorter and there is a slight crispness to the air, I am making plans!

Happy Back To School Kids!!!!

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