Aren't you happy they're going back?

[MillingNome]

OMG, if I get this question one more time I'm going to : NO- actually, I like my kids and have enjoyed our summer together. They've come to work with me, brightening up my day. They've played with all the staff I work with and hung out with some neat people. The people I work with talked to the kids like they were adults. I'm sure my kids learned quite a bit about how the world works by watching how we all got along and worked to as a team. The kids and me (yeah yeah, it should be "the kids and I"...) have had lunch together along with running errands all over the place. I've loved having them with me. Why are people so happy to "be rid" of their kids at the end of the summer? Don't they know how lucky they are to have them? How much fun they can be? Ugh, I guess I'm just bumming because I know I'm going to miss them (and no- homeschooling is not an option for us)

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

I totally hear you. I cannot for the life of me understand when I hear those type of comments. I miss dd terribly while she is gone and I hate leaving her there in the morning. At least she loves it and gets mad on the days school is out Last year I had to fight the urge to run back and get her, knowing she would be super mad at me if I did kept me from it.

[wildmonkeys]

I agree. I don't get it. I love having my kids with me too. My son is excited about the start of school, but I am just not. One of my neighbors made a big production of doing a happy dance and opening a beer when they got on the bus at 9:15 Monday morning Meanwhile, my other neighbor/friend and I jumped in our cars and rushed up to the school because they have an open house for the first three hours on the first day and we didn't want to miss a minute.

BJ
Barney & Ben

[dukeswalker]

My response is usually "No, I like my kids... "

[Itlbokay]

Being joyful that your kids are going back to school - a way of thinking that is epitomized in some of those Staples commercials. Like the one where the father is joyfully shopping for back to school supplies and "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year" plays in the background. I'm sure it is a great time of year for office supply stores, but don't appreciate the coercive persuasion I feel is behind their advertising message, as if that is the way we parents should feel.

[CarrieMF]

As someone who enjoys the kids going back to school I am highly offended by the "I like my kids" comments. It really is equivalent to if I said those who don't like it can't cut the apron strings(which I'm not saying, just trying to make a point). Being glad my kids are back in school does not mean I don't like my kids nor that those who aren't like their kids more.

I have been with my kids all summer, we have done things together with them, they have played with friends, they have had sleepovers, gone camping, on vacations, to grandma's etc. In spite of keeping them busy without keeping them too busy they still get bored and when they get bored they fight or argue. Yeah they drive me nuts at time, but that is not why I am glad my kids are back in school.

I am glad because THEY WANT TO BE. My youngest is po'd right off because she doesn't go back until the 20th. My middle dd is mad because she has to wait until Friday to go to K again. They have been so anxious over the last week because they couldn't wait to get back. They want to see the friends they can't over the summer, they want to see their teachers, their class, etc. They want the academic stimulation that they haven't had in the same doses they had at school.

[~Demeter~]

Originally Posted by CarrieMF

As someone who enjoys the kids going back to school I am highly offended by the "I like my kids" comments. It really is equivalent to if I said those who don't like it can't cut the apron strings(which I'm not saying, just trying to make a point). Being glad my kids are back in school does not mean I don't like my kids nor that those who aren't like their kids more.

I have been with my kids all summer, we have done things together with them, they have played with friends, they have had sleepovers, gone camping, on vacations, to grandma's etc. In spite of keeping them busy without keeping them too busy they still get bored and when they get bored they fight or argue. Yeah they drive me nuts at time, but that is not why I am glad my kids are back in school.

I am glad because THEY WANT TO BE. My youngest is po'd right off because she doesn't go back until the 20th. My middle dd is mad because she has to wait until Friday to go to K again. They have been so anxious over the last week because they couldn't wait to get back. They want to see the friends they can't over the summer, they want to see their teachers, their class, etc. They want the academic stimulation that they haven't had in the same doses they had at school.

I must say I agree with you mostly on this. I am glad mine are back in school as well. They were anxious to get back to school this year, missing their friends and whatnot.. the last 2 weeks before they went back they actually had a countdown. I am sure I drive them just as nuts as they drive me sometimes. The back to school high has mellowed a bit now that they have been back for a couple weeks but my boys for the most part do enjoy going to school. They enjoy the routine it adds to our lives as do I. Yes I miss them, my youngest really really misses them and I am sure they miss me but all in all it is a pleasant time for us.

[marybethorama]

My Kids are Missing School too

We've had fun this summer and we did go on vacation but TBH my kids are a bit bored.

They miss seeing their friends everyday and they miss the daily routine of going to school.

I will miss my kids when they're gone but I'm also looking forward to the time to do things I find hard to do when the kids are here.

I will miss them but I know the hours will pass quickly.

[dukeswalker]

My kids were excited to go back too... but that doesn't mean I don't miss having them around. I really enjoy their company. Yes, I'm happy that they are happy - but usually that "aren't you happy they're going back" question is meant in a "phew - whoo-hoo - aren't you glad they're gone" sort of way. Not in a "aren't you glad that they are getting to do something that they really want to do?" Which, yes, I AM happy that they are going to get to do something they want to do. But I don't look at it like a relief or that I won some great prize. I do like my kids and I do miss them when they are at school.

[amydawnsmommy]

I know what you mean about people implying parents should be thrilled for their new found freedom.

School is such a hard thing for parents and kids. Well some parents and kids. I mean for me I want Hope to have little friends her age to play with and learn with and yet I miss her greatly when she is at school.

Also I wanted to homeschool or send her to Montessori school but ended having to settle for public school. She loves it and is doing great but I do miss her and the dreams I had for Montessori or homeschool.

Sometimes well-meaning people should just keep their mouths shut!

[Evan&Anna's_Mom]

I'm sorry, are you implying that because I am happy to have part of my day without having to worry about the kids that I don't LIKE them????? I love my kids, and most of the time I like spending time with them. I also like being able to use the computer without interuptions, being able to read the paper, and clean the house in 1/2 the time it takes with "help". And frankly, I'm a better mother for 8 hours than I am for 14. Its a whole lot easier for me to be patient, gentle, and engaged when I only have to do it from 12 to 8 or so. I don't think this makes me a bad mother and I certainly don't think that it means that I don't like my kids. It just means that I am a BETTER mother when I have the right balance FOR ME in my life. And school (and work when I finally find a job) help give me that balance.

[Itlbokay]

Respectfully, I don't think any implications are being made here as to how much one does or doesn't like their children based on how happy or unhappy they are to see them go off to school. But rather, thoughts being posted by some who are offended by comments/questions that do seem to imply that one should be joyful to have their kids go off to school.

[Itlbokay]