Phew!
We’ve done it folks. Another Vermont summer is in the books. The weather is just a little bit cooler these days, and the trees are starting to get some kisses of color on their branches. Reminding me, not only of how lucky we are to be living here, but also how lucky we are that these wonderful kids of ours are finally going to go BACK TO SCHOOL.
Everywhere I look, I see the tired faces of parents who emit the same energy as someone who just hiked a big mountain. Summer can be hard work! It’s exhausting having such enthusiastic lovers of fun around the house every day. Seriously, they want to have fun all the time. What’s that about? I didn’t see that anywhere in the parenting books.
To show my appreciation for all this hard work, I’ve gradually been making up fake awards for myself over the summer, and I’d be happy to share some with you. Because if there’s ever a season that parents deserve a little extra credit, it’s now.
Added soap to the kiddy pool and called it a bath?
That’s a win.
Brushed your teeth twice because you couldn’t remember if you did it the first time?
Double win.
Unleashed your kids on a whole watermelon and a run in the sprinkler for lunch?
Triple win! The grass needed to be watered too.
Mental gold star? Hypothetical pat on the back? Theoretical blue ribbon?
They’re all in the pretend bag, go ahead and help yourself to one. We’ve made it through one of the busiest times of year, and I think we rock! GO PARENTS! Certainly, let me know if there are any more honorable mentions I might’ve missed.
While I’m definitely looking forward to the routine and schedule the school year naturally brings, chances are that if you see me on the first day of school, I’ll probably be the one crying at drop off.
I’m Shannon Hart — Native Vermonter, mother of two and graphic designer at the Addison Independent.