School Days

"School days, school days, good old golden rule days"

Today was the first day of school for my two oldest children. What a wonderful thing the first day of school is! They were both so excited to go, and were ready to get in the van an hour before we had to leave. When we got to school, the tradition is to walk them to their classrooms on the first day. Well, they jumped out of the van and ran so fast I could not keep up with them. They were both in their rooms sitting at their desks before I could give them a hug and kiss. It warmed my heart to see how eager they were to return to school.

I was also eager for them to return. This summer was a challenge for me. This was the first summer vacation where I honestly expected them to kill each other. It must be their age! Put an almost nine year old girl with a seven year old boy and LOOK OUT! In the past they have always adored each other. Not this summer! It just gives me a glimpse at the teenage years. Yicks! Calgon take me away?

My husband asked me the other night what I learned from this past summer and what I will do differently next summer. I really do not know. I feel that I handled them to the best of my ability. Each day was stressful for me because I moderated them when necessary, scolded when necessary, and taught them appropriate behavior. I even came up with a new rule. Our home is a "safe house" and when we are together as a family we are to treat each other with love and respect. Our home is the only place in this world where we can insure a secure, loving, accepting environment. So I told them as long as we are together in our home, it's a place to treat each other kindly. That always worked when I reminded them about the new rule...but I frequently had to remind them.