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So school has begun and homework has already been assigned. I know lots of parents are grateful that school has begun, but when my kids are in school, momma is in school as well. I really think these teacher assign work they know the kids cannot really complete on their own so that parents will have to help out. Considering I have been on both ends, (teaching and parenting), I totally agree with the teacher. Parents should be accountable for their children’s education as well. I do know that it takes a collective effort on all areas meaning administration, parents, community, and teachers to teach our kids. As stated so many times before, it absolutely takes a village to raise a child.

I had a conversation with a parent the other day and she told me that her grandchild was on punishment for doing bad on a spelling test. As we continued the conversation, we both recognized that the child was not to blame because we were sure this child had homework everyday pertaining to those same spelling words. It was the parent’s duty to make sure they worked with the child to prepare him for the test.

The only thing I wish was that I could get a pass and only have to do homework with one child at a time, lol. So homework is just not for the kids, it is for us as well. I hope all you have a great school year and don’t study to hard my fellow parents. Until next time, Ya’ll be breezy.

Last Friday we spent another fun evening at the high school, sitting in the bleachers watching Katie and her teammates cheer.  And there was a football game going on, too!

Actually the game was pretty good and I paid a bit of attention to it and was really pulling for our boys to win.  After a disappointing first game, the guys came back and put up a good fight on Friday.  And even though they didn’t win, they really did play well (in my expert opinion!).

The girls did a great job, too, on Friday.  They came up with a couple of new stunts that were great to watch and had us holding our breath for a couple moments!  It sure looked like they were having fun out there, too.

It’s a pleasure to spend a night every week sitting in the stands, surrounded by the other parents, and watch the kids put on a show.  It’s fun to watch the improvement from week to week.  And it’s great to see their enthusiasm as they play.  I also enjoy the company of other parents who are there to support their kids.

I think the football stadium provides some lessons for us as parents of teens.  Our kids are out there on the field alone.  Actually there’s even a fence that keeps us separated from them!  But while they’re on the other side of the fence doing their thing, they see us and hear us encouraging them.  Our role is not to do it for them, but to encourage them.  And no matter the outcome of the game they know they’ll find us after the game is over; waiting for them to emerge from the gym annex, just to let them know we are proud of them.

As parents of teens, our role has changed from holding their hands and doing things with them to just being there, their biggest fans, sharing in the victories and letting them know it’s okay to give it a good try even if the score doesn’t end up the way they’d like it to.

Anybody else having a great time enjoying fall sports?

Probably most of our readers have one thing in common. Back to school. The same is very true at my house, in a big way.  Molly is no longer here, she is in Greenville.  Her absence is being greatly felt. She has spent most of the summer at her Nana and Papa’s beach house in Surf City so it’s not as if we haven’t “eased” into this transition. The emotional part is a little harder, for all of us. The reality is that she probably won’t ever see this as her main address again. Even that truth is difficult for me to write.

When you have grown accustomed to “back to school” meaning “back to the family unit” under one roof, change comes hard. We miss her. Her room is clean, the bathroom is picked up and the hamper is manageable. There is a calmness around here that is unsettling. She is my daughter, I think that says it all. Drew, the more outwardly emotional of my two sons (much like me) has mentioned the void her absence creates, several times. John just shakes his head in agreement.

We are confident in Molly’s ability to adapt. If anything, she has a terrific ability to adjust to different situations. No real worries there. I expect her to do well in managing her schedule between school and work. She is in a good situation. We three guys have to adjust right along with her. We can’t wait to see her.  Talk to you soon.

How are you handling it?

Which one of the three looks excited to go back to school? You’re right, Kiki! That child  was up and ready to roll out at 6:21 am…ughhhhh! The other two, now they’re in a whole entire different league. Although I must admit that I didn’t need a backhoe to get them up, so that was a good thing. I don’t know if school came around too quickly or what, but even if you don’t like school, you’re always excited for that first day. I remember when it was Back to School Eve in my home. I would lie in the bed all night thinking about my friends. Thinking about my classes, my clothes, who was gonna change the most, my teachers, just so much stuff. My two oldest went out like a light and didn’t move until I woke them up!

Scootie also started football practice. He was so tired he could barely move poor thing. I too was in the same boat as Scootie. I stayed up late that night trying to make sure paper work was all signed and back packs were ready to be go. The next day, I knew I felt sluggish, but I just figured I was just a wee bit tired. I remember telling the kids to go and take baths and the next thing I knew, I was waking up to sign some papers. Soraya was at the side of my bed with a paper and pen in hand. I had to ask her if the other kids were in the bed because I was knocked out. I will be the first to say, if you don’t get rest, rest will get you…anywhere.

This week I’m hoping to be back into the swing of things. Hope all you have a great day and remember to take it easy!

It was love at first sight 16 years ago when we adopted our oldest teen, Kassiane. She was two days old we we “first” cast eyes upon her. She was cute as a bug with a head full of curly hair and beautiful blue eyes. For years, everywhere we went someone commented not only about the curly mane, but on how beautiful she was. She was a great baby, a bright, cute little toddler, a quiet adolescent, and then all of a sudden, she became a striking, accomplished artsy teenager.

How did it happen so quickly, I keep asking myself each day? Not only that – but my other two teens right on the heels of Kass, are becoming all grown up too, now both also in high school.

My head spins to consider it all. Just now, over these past few weeks and especially the last few days, my focus has been very much on Kass, since she has flown from the nest and is away at art school. We checked her in last week, the culmination of weeks of preparation, packing and planning. She was SO excited that I couldn’t help but feel the excitement too – only I felt reservation and anxiety along with the excitement at the thought of driving away from that school and coming home without her.

She was immediately at home; smiling, laughing and quickly joining friends that she had known previously during summer sessions. She was completely at ease, familiar with her surroundings, and ready to begin a new chapter in her young life. My feelings are so mixed – excited to death for her in this great opportunity and the chance to fly on her own; yet, my heart tugs and feels heavy knowing she won’t be home with our family except some occasional week-ends, holidays, and of course, next summer. Is it Thanksgiving yet? We parted from her on the campus quietly, without alot of drama from me. She was anxious to re-join her friends waiting at the bottom of the hill. We hugged and kissed – I cried. She flew down the hill like a lovely bird. It was love at last sight ( at least until we skype!).

What  are some other departing scenarios from parents whose teens have just taken flight to college or elsewhere?