Most Wonderful Time of the Year

[sunshiinedays]

The title of this thread is in reference to a back to school ad that featured the Christmas carol by the same name and refers to the joy and happiness parents feel when their children go back to school in the fall.

This really bothers me. I have heard, in passing, a lot of remarks lately from parents who seem really happy to be getting rid of the kids

Does anyone else find this disturbing?

 

[Linnis]

The title of this thread is in reference to a back to school ad that featured the Christmas carol by the same name and refers to the joy and happiness parents feel when their children go back to school in the fall.

This really bothers me. I have heard, in passing, a lot of remarks lately from parents who seem really happy to be getting rid of the kids

Does anyone else find this disturbing?

They've been playing that song for back to school since I was in school. I think it's kind of sad people want to get "rid" of their children. Then again in this world it's seen as common for kids to fight non-stop and for parents to be glad to not have to hear it.

 

[RoseofLima]

I dunno- we homeschool- so it 6 of one, half a dozen of the other for us.

I don't understand a lot of stuff about choices other people make or their attitudes about things

 

[AJoyfulNoise]

I don't get it, either. Why do so many people seem to see their children as such burdens, to be gladly gotten rid of?!

 

[Naomi4Christ]

I remember that song from when we lived in the US. I must admit, I have teased my children with it, and they have not been amused.

I am a teacher, so back to school time for them is also back to school time for me

I like when the children get off school for the holidays and I like when they go back. I think they feel the same way (mostly).

Here, during the school holidays, most activities shut down. When I was a SAHM, back to school time was also the time when my main ministries kicked in - bible study, Alpha, outreach to new mothers, etc. I also enjoyed the school activities, such as watching DS play soccer, rugby and cricket, taking part in the school play or public speaking, etc.

One of my favourite parts of Scripture is the passage in Ecclesiastes about a season for everything.

 

[Entertaining_Angels]

I homeschool our older son but our daughter is in preschool and yes, I could easily have sung that sung...guilt free I love her more than anything but she and her brother fight, fight and then fight some more. She also has had a very hard time with daddy's deployment and really wanted and needed the diversion. She is so happy in preschool and our house is a much calmer place for it.

Doesn't mean I love her any less

 

[CarrieAg93]

I agree with OreGal. I have 3 young boys. There is a lot of bickering and even when they play well together they are still very active and noisy. DH works long hours so sometimes I just need a break. I was ready for school to start. That doesn't make me a bad parent or mean that I don't love my kids.

 

[GolfingMom]

I sing the song to myself when putting the kiddo's down to sleep. Life slows down for me once they are asleep and I can get things done. It doesn't mean I love them less...it just means I have some peace and can get my head clear.
Many moms I know have had their kids in so many activities and preschool and pre K and any other pre you can think of that the kids ALWAYS need something to do and can't just play by themselves so when summer rolls around, these moms are on overload. They have no where to put these kids (unless they sign them up for summer camp) and so they are the once forced to entertain their kids.

 

[Jehane]

Nope, don't understand it either but we HS too so the kids are there 24/7. Mine don't fight too much nowadays though. That was one of the first things that happened when our older daughter came home; the fighting dropped to practically zero as she felt she was getting more of my time. I love having them round & I miss them on those rare occassions they're out on their own but I do think it's something that grows on you over time. I wasn't so into it when I had 5 littlies underfoot driving me crazy. Maybe I've actually improved as a parent over time?

 

[Heart4Him]

I'm usually a little sad when it's back-to-school time for my daughter. I love having her around all day in the summer, and her little brother loves having her home to play.

My son has one more year until he goes to school, and I'm sure I will cry! lol

Sometimes I'm a little surprised when I hear other parents expressing how happy and relieved they are that school is starting back. I don't think they love their kids any less, though!

 

[burn97]

I love my boys, with my whole heart... BUT...
I happily and guilt free sing that song and praise the Good Lord when summer vaction is finally over.

 

[lucypevensie]

I am usually glad to see them going back to school, not just for selfish reasons though. Yes, I do love the peace and quiet, but they also like the excitement of going to school and seeing their friends and being busy again.

I see the school year as the 5th season of the year (along with spring, fall, summer, and winter). As with all seasons we are usually excited to see a new one approaching and glad to be rid of the last one.

 

[Entertaining_Angels]

I am usually glad to see them going back to school, not just for selfish reasons though. Yes, I do love the peace and quiet, but they also like the excitement of going to school and seeing their friends and being busy again.

I completely agree. My daughter has been asking for more than a year to go to preschool and this was such a huge deal for her. She gets so excited and it is certainly contagious. She really is such a social butterfly and while she loves her mommy and big brother, all of her 'best friends' hold a special place in her life too

 

[Randombitsofstring]

OH MY GOSH I’M SUCH A BAD MOTHER BECAUE I ACTUALLY LIKE HAVING A FEW HOURS TO MYSELF WHAT A SELFISH LOSER I AM….

[/sarcasm]

 

[Entertaining_Angels]

OH MY GOSH I’M SUCH A BAD MOTHER BECAUE I ACTUALLY LIKE HAVING A FEW HOURS TO MYSELF WHAT A SELFISH LOSER I AM….

[/sarcasm]

It's been a long time since I've had a few hours to myself but you know, I think I could certainly muster up the courage to be considered a 'bad mom' for it

 

[Randombitsofstring]

It's been a long time since I've had a few hours to myself but you know, I think I could certainly muster up the courage to be considered a 'bad mom' for it

Yeah, don’t you hate this whole double standard thing? It’s ok for the dad to go out and have grown up time and enjoy having a job—but if a woman doesn’t enjoying being surrounded by children all day she is somehow deficient and not a nice person?

 

[Primrose]

Another bad mother here. I say kuddos to those that can be around their kids constantly without pulling their hair out. I love my kids more than anything, but I know my limits. I would not be a good mom if my kids didn't go to school to give me a break from their drama for a bit. I'm always so excited when summer starts and I plan fun stuff for us to do. By the time school starts back I'm doing the happy dance too. Our fun time is over and they have been bored and fighting for awhile by then. Doesn't mean I think my kids are burdens, in fact having 2 special needs kids I have more of a burden dealing with stuff during the school year than not.

 

[andiesmama]

I'm singing that song every morning from 8 until noon when I pick Andie up from PreK!

Like others have said, I don't love her any less, I even think it's made the time we do spend together MORE quality time....I can get all my stuff done in the mornings when she's gone, then in the afternoons I can *usually* give her my undivided attention...

***OreGal...I didn't know your daughter started preschool this year...are our girls the same age?

 

[CrystalBrooke]

i'll be so sad when Emily does start school...but i dont think that parents really want to get rid of their children, but want a break for a while each day...being with them all day every day is tiresome, especially once they learn to walk id imagine...and it seems to me that kids are harder to entertain as they get older which makes stay at home parent's job harder...so i dont think it's all that disturbing..but that's just my thought on it.

 

[Entertaining_Angels]

Primrose, yes, having two children with special needs myself, I think having a few hours breathing time is always a good thing and makes for a happier mommy.

Andiesmama, she turned three this summer but seems to think she's at least five or six. Yes, she's a handful