Credit: ajari, Flickr
The first day of school is always a mixed bag of emotions.
Some of us have little ones heading into that brick building for the very first time. Some of us have big kids who are so excited about the first day that they never even look back. Some of us are saying goodbye to our almost-grown children as they go off to college and leave us to contemplate our empty nests.
We’re thrilled, of couse. Our babies are doing exactly what we taught them to do — exercising their independence. We’re sad, a little, because we’re left with a suddenly too-quiet house. We’re absolutely, unreservedly jubilant not to have to burn eight hours of daylight with some very bored small people.
We feel you. And because we’re sharing some of those emotions with you, we’re offering our best picks for what to do for you on the first day of school.
1. Get Your Hair And Nails Did. Planning a hair or nail appointment during the summertime can be a major hassle. Kids at home, kids at camp, daycare providers on vacation …. they all conspire to make us look less than our best. Call your stylist today and book a cut and blow-out or a mani-pedi — and relax!
2. Clean Their Rooms. No, seriously. The amount of summer clutter generated by a few kids is enough to make even the Messiest Marvin of a mom crazy. Get in there and toss the old toys. Clean the closets and arrange their school clothes. Get that unwanted stuff out the door and you’ll be amazed how zen you feel afterward. Bonus: No one whines when you toss that Happy Meal prize from 2008!
3. Walk It Off. Take their pictures, pack their lunches, kiss their faces and hit the bricks. Take a quiet walk and actually take the time to notice what’s going on in your neighborhood. Or head to the park and bring a snack along, too, for a solo picnic of grown-up goodies. Burn off that nervous energy by moving instead of sitting at home wondering how they’re doing at school.
4. Lunch With The Ladies. It’s tough to get together with your friends during the summer, when everyone’s schedule is all out of whack. Organize a lunch date with your pals and head to a restaurant that doesn’t have chicken tenders on the menu.
5. Take A Road Trip. Get in the car and head to Tuscola for some outlet shopping or to Monticello for lunch at the Brown Bag Deli Restaurant. Visit Allerton Park. The ride will give you time to decompress from the emotions of the day and no one will ask, “Are we there yet?”
What are you doing on the first day of school?
