If you're a mom ready to say goodbye to the school year, then you will recognize yourself in this one.
A tired mom's goodbye to the school year
I'm tired.
So very tired.
I'm tired of this school year.
I want it over.
I'm tired of waking the kids up from a deep sleep with that frantic furry of mobilizing their weary bodies out the door.
I'm tired of checking the forecast and telling them it is NOT a shorts day.
I'm tired of fixing them breakfast and packing them lunch, all before I see the sun peek over the trees.
I'm tired of telling them to get to bed, because they have school tomorrow.
I'm tired of the Friday highs and the Sunday sighs.
I'm tired of pulling up to a dreadfully long line of cars at the school.
I'm tired of the drop-offs and pick-ups and drop offs and pick-ups and then doing it all again at the end of the day.
I'm tired, so very tired, of people that STILL don't know how to drop-off and pick-up their kid quickly.
I'm tired of swearing under my breath at the people who don't know how to do the drop-offs and pick-ups quickly.
I'm tired of stressing about being late to school for those drop-offs and pick-ups.
I'm tired of reading signs like “Flower Sale!” and “Field Day Sign Up!” And “Don't Forget…”
I'm tired of getting emails from the school, reminders from the school, and updates from the school.
I'm tired of take home papers to read and sign.
I'm tired of all the end of the year events, activities, parties, and performances.
I'm tired of cramming all the end of the year events into our already over-scheduled calendar.
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I'm tired of smiling.
I'm tired of waving and smiling.
I'm tired of waving, smiling, and waiting for kids weighted down with backpacks to cross the street.
I'm tired of driving 20 MPH.
I'm tired of my kids' after school starvation and the desperate cries for food.
I'm tired of frantically scavenging any meager meal to feed my kids the SECOND we get home.
I'm tired of wearing fleece leggings in May. (I am aware this has nothing to do with school. Just had to note this ridiculousness.)
I'm tired of wearing pajamas in the car and hiding my tired puffy eyes behind my sunglasses even when it rains.
I'm tired of saying, “Did you get your homework done?”
I'm tired of papers, binders, and notebooks strewn all over the house.
I'm tired of looking for a sharpened pencil, a highlighter, or a lost book.
I'm tired of coming up with packed lunch ideas.
I'm tired of feeling like I'm failing at packed lunch ideas.
I'm tired of processed food, fast food, and rushing.
I'm tired of ice cream after every special event.
I'm tired of thinking about the year ending and my kids being that much older.
I'm tired of brainstorming and tormenting over teacher gifts.
But the one thing I'm NOT tired of?
Being grateful for my kids' school and the teachers who work hard every day to give my kids the education they deserve.
I'm sure they're tired too.
Christine Carter is a SAHM mom to two pretty amazing kids. She's been writing over at TheMomCafe.com for six years, where she hopes to encourage women through humor, inspiration and faith. You can also connect with Christine through Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.
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Lauren says
May 27, 2016 at 10:49 amYES! It is really exhausting juggling it all.. I am looking forward to the summer since I can drop them at summer camp about one hour later, which is AMAZING!!
Christine Carter says
May 27, 2016 at 1:08 pmHooray for summer camp! We JUST finished up school- and yet, a new “tired” is setting in over here for me already. LOL I’ll take it though. 🙂 I’m all for summer fun!
Shann says
May 29, 2016 at 10:13 pmI only have one in kindergarten so far, and I’m already tired of it all too. The amount of emails I get just amazes me. Hope you enjoy the summer!
Stephanie says
May 29, 2016 at 10:49 pmI have to be honest… I got really tired of faking it on Tuesday and Thursdays. Meaning, I would get up and get showered, do my hair and my makeup to drop my son off at school for 3 hours only to come back home to blog or do housework/laundry or run errands. I felt like I needed to be at my best to drop and pick him up. Now… I can stay do whatever I want, in whatever I want 😉
Christine Carter says
May 30, 2016 at 9:32 amI think I stopped faking it during those pre-school years. LOL I realized it was way too much work. 🙂
Jennifer Corter says
May 30, 2016 at 7:04 amThis was a really great post, and I totally agree with the sentiment! I am DEFINITELY tired of all the unecessary paperwork and all that wasted paper with “Mother’s Day Plant Sale Ends Friday!” or “Don’t Forget The Winter Concert.” C’mon. Soo. Much. Paper. We could wallpaper the walls with it. I will be sad to see my little guy move up to second grade, if only because we ADORE his teacher he has for Kindergarten.
Jennifer Corter recently posted…5 Things You Can Do This Memorial Day
Christine Carter says
May 30, 2016 at 9:35 amI know… I know. All of it is so- exhausting and overwhelming. I am always reluctant to accept my kids are one grade older at the end of every year! And the teachers- oh yes, they are gems.
Christine Carter recently posted…An Important Letter To Atheists From A Christian
Theresa says
May 30, 2016 at 8:41 amI totally know what you mean! It’s a huge relief to be heading into the summer. I’m so happy that my daughter learns so much when she’s in school, but we all need a little break.
Christine Carter says
May 30, 2016 at 9:36 amI feel the same way! I’m so grateful for school, and my kids really do love it! I’m just tired of it all, and I can only imagine how tired the teachers are. They need the break too!
Christine Carter recently posted…An Important Letter To Atheists From A Christian
Rachel says
May 30, 2016 at 6:52 pmThis was WONDERFUL and it read like a poem in my head. This is the perfect end of school year, welcome summer poem.
Christine Carter says
June 4, 2016 at 9:39 pmAw thanks so much Rachel! It came from my tired worn out heart. LOL 🙂
Marie K says
May 31, 2016 at 7:23 amMine is not at school yet but I still get what you mean Chris (creche is nearly the same, minus events and sports competition and homework) – It looks like we spend our time running and running around and asking our kids the same thing twenty times a day. One month more to go for us. Looking forward enjoying morning and evening time – A much slower routine.
Thank you for sharing how you are feeling about this / we are not alone in this madness!
Take care
Marie K recently posted…Mess around (or the tale of a crazy weekend)
Christine Carter says
June 4, 2016 at 9:42 pmI am now changing my tune.. I want school BACK! LOL After a week of getting up at 5:00am for my girl’s summer long course swim practices and weekend meets to boot? I want SCHOOL BACK! Ha!
I’m laughing at myself, really. *Yawns*
At least there aren’t any school papers floating around!
Thanks for coming by to read this, my sweet friend. <3
Christine Carter recently posted…Moms, Are You Tired of the School Year?
Lynn says
May 31, 2016 at 8:09 amI understand that tiredness! And it brings back memories of those days. Now that I only have one of three at home while she attends university, I am in a completely different place of course. I’m happy for no more midnight trips to Walmart for some art project items needed the next day, yet having those stories to tell have made life interesting and enduring! I’m sure so many mom’s are going to be encouraged here knowing they are not alone in their tiredness! Have a wonderful ‘restful type of fun this summer Christine!
Lynn recently posted…“Cheer-iO”
Christine Carter says
June 5, 2016 at 12:29 pmI love that you still have one still home with you! I could picture my girl doing that when she starts college. 🙂 So far summer is absolutely NUTS with Cass’s swim team practices and meets. I suppose that’s how summer will go- but it’s a different feel and I am napping often because I am exhausted! LOL (Getting up at 5:00am every day for her practices is killing me!)
I feel like summer has been going on for a month. I think about those moms who still have kids in school, and oh how tired they must STILL be of it all!
Christine Carter recently posted…Thoughts On Friends and Feet Washing
Tamara says
May 31, 2016 at 10:56 amI was even wearing my winter coat in early May! Over that.
I do get tired of the school year and I hope upon hope each spring, that this will be the summer that I truly learn how to relax.
Christine Carter says
June 5, 2016 at 12:30 pmI was totally over that too, Tamara. I love how you put that. LOL
Okay, so you and me- let’s pinky swear… we are going to figure out HOW to relax, okay?
Starting…. next week. Or maybe the next. 😉
Christine Carter recently posted…Thoughts On Friends and Feet Washing
Kathy says
May 31, 2016 at 6:48 pmOh my gosh you listed them all..all the weary makers, the long list of crazy ways school wears us down..the homework, oh my gosh, I am so happy I will never again have to say ‘did you do your homework’ and so relate to the puffy eyes and driving in the pjs! Chris you capture the exhaustion of the school year to the ‘T’..it’s a brutal crazy world sometimes..barbaric in some ways!!! I home schooled my son for his early school years in a small community of homeschoolers, and loved it so, the pace, the open way of learning, the great wide world as the classroom..it was a beautiful time, but my social son wanted a wider group of friends, and so we entered public school..I have to say, some of it was torture! Yet, thankfully there was much good, and plenty of joy in our theater department to sustain us all. We do what we need to do, and somehow get through, with plenty of scratches and bumps, and a whole lot of exhaustion! I took 5 naps this week. I never do that. 18 years of school over soon!! Hang in there, be sure to take naps, and give yourself a whole lot of special treats just for you..cafes, walks, friends, massages, lavendar baths…hugs I just love how you captured the utter utter utter list of why we are so exhausted!
Christine Carter says
June 5, 2016 at 12:39 pmOh Kathy, I just LOVE your comment! So much fun to read, and GOOD FOR YOU for taking those naps! I’m SURE you needed it, mama!
Guess what I’m getting ready to do?
NAP! 🙂
PS: I am betting you are feeling quite emotional over this transition, my friend. I celebrate it with you, and wish I could hug you in those tearful moments too. <3 Hang in there mama. I can't WAIT to see what comes around the corner for YOU.
Christine Carter recently posted…Thoughts On Friends and Feet Washing
Candace says
May 31, 2016 at 7:57 pmI’m so loving sleeping in these days. I was tired of every one of these things you’ve shared too, Chris. I can so relate, my friend! Those Sunday sighs :). We call it the Sunday night blues in my house. I’m so glad to have a break from that.
Candace recently posted…Why I Quit Talking & Started Listening to God
Christine Carter says
June 5, 2016 at 12:45 pmSo would you believe I am now waking up at 5:00AM every single day this summer because Cass has swim practice at 6:30AM at a pool 30 minutes away? And swim meets every weekend- with the UNGODLY hour of 6:45 warm up times to start?
I want the school year back! LOL
Eh, at least there isn’t any homework or school papers to sign. 🙂
Enjoy your summer, my friend! Sleep in, play, relax and soak in the summer sun!
Christine Carter recently posted…Thoughts On Friends and Feet Washing
Allie says
June 1, 2016 at 10:52 amRight there with you Chris!!!
Christine Carter says
June 5, 2016 at 12:47 pmRIGHT? I hope you can rest a little and grab some ME time this summer Allie!
I’m betting you’re already busy planning another incredible trip for your family, though! Right?
Christine Carter recently posted…Thoughts On Friends and Feet Washing
Anne says
June 2, 2016 at 5:00 amI remember those days all too well. I am so happy my 14yo decided to join his younger brother and be homeschooled this year. I hope it doesn’t make me a terrible Mom but I am seriously grateful for no longer having to go through everything that you’ve described in this post.
Anne recently posted…Starlily The Magical Unicorn
Christine Carter says
June 5, 2016 at 12:49 pmIt doesn’t make you a terrible mom at ALL! Good Lord, I think Home Schooling moms are such hard working and amazing women. I’m too lazy to home school, so we balance out each other nicely. LOL
I’m so happy you don’t have to deal with the madness, Anne. 🙂
Christine Carter recently posted…Thoughts On Friends and Feet Washing
Kristi Campbell says
June 3, 2016 at 7:53 pmTwo of my favorite people in one place and OMG am I tired. Tucker has another couple of weeks and I’m also freaking out about what’s next… love this though. Friday highs and Sunday sighs. Yup.
Christine Carter says
June 5, 2016 at 12:51 pmAnd one of OUR favorites right here reading this! (That would be YOU) 🙂
Another couple weeks? Oy. Hang in there girl! And I’m betting summer will be full of all those magical things you write about. <3 I can't wait to read about it all.
Christine Carter recently posted…Thoughts On Friends and Feet Washing
Kristi Campbell says
June 3, 2016 at 7:54 pmpinned 🙂
Christine Carter says
June 5, 2016 at 12:52 pmTHANK YOU! 🙂
Christine Carter recently posted…Thoughts On Friends and Feet Washing
Kenya G. Johnson says
June 6, 2016 at 2:22 pmI loved this breakdown. I am tired of saying, “Did you do your lunchbox?” Which means, did he fill up his water bottle and put the lunchbox in the freezer. Because if he hasn’t in the morning it defeats the purpose of keeping his lunchmeat and water cold until 12:30. Thanks for the reminder of all the things I don’t have to do or say for the next (how many days?)
Side note: I was in Walmart this weekend and all 4th of July stuff was out. I said, “By the time the 4th gets here, school supplies will be out.” and so on and so on. For now I’m just going to enjoy June.
Kenya G. Johnson recently posted…Coffee Break With A Special Guest
Rorybore says
June 9, 2016 at 9:41 pmI don’t know, I think I might actually have it pretty good. All 3 of my kids wake up on their own!! Like what?? And the older two get cereal for the 6 year old. Who wanders to my side of the bed when she is done to tell me she is done her cereal. LOL And they take the bus (at 9 am!!!) so I only have to walk them down the street and then it’s back home and hello Coffee!! I wonder if I can train them to bring me a coffee in bed this summer? ha.
Rorybore recently posted…WW: Creeping Flowers, Hidden Photo Ninja
Kyla Jocson says
July 8, 2018 at 9:19 pmTotally relate. Beyond the tiredness mothers feel, is where gratitude sits. Cheers to all the mothers and the teachers out there! Giving the children the education they deserve in incomparable 🙂