Mom Your Way

I came across this gem the other day when I was looking for a recipe I hadn't made in a while. This document was my attempt to write down everything in my head as I ran out the door for a very short notice 1-year deployment to Iraq in 2008. My kids were in 2nd grade and kindergarten, and my husband was also in the Air Force, who by definition as a pilot would need to occasionally leave home to do his job. 

It was a flurry of phone calls and decisions and discussions to figure out how to make it all work. And tears, definitely tears. After a my tearful goodbye to my kids at home, and then my husband at the airport, I called my mom and we both were crying. I remember her saying, "I don't know why I'm crying but I am," while I tried my best to hide my emotions in the lobby filled with many others deploying with me.

It was a hard year being apart, for sure, but there were many blessings along the way too. We all grew so much. And I am still in awe of the many people, family, neighbors, friends, and even strangers, that reached out over the year with literal boatloads of love and support.

Why am I telling you this? Because the fall is all about transitions - from kids starting preschool to kids leaving for college - and there are many posts about what to pack, and how to prepare, and how to "survive" the drop off. And I want to say, there is no one way. If you are not dripping in buckets of tears at the pre-school or dorm room drop off, that's ok. If you are, that's ok too. It's ok if you stayed for the pre-school welcome coffee or if you decided to enjoy a morning to yourself. It's ok if you packed 100s of internet required items for their dorm (spoiler alert: the first aid kit and vacuum will still be in original packaging next May) and also ok if you didn't. 

But don't forget the joy - the joy of seeing yourself and your kids evolve, and grow, meet challenges, and survive. 

There are some true gems in Mommy's Book of Lists: Tame the laundry monster, Clean up before the cleaning ladies come, Pick out clothes for the week on Sundays, Determine buy/take lunch situation

Top three weeknight dinner recommendations? Fish sticks, chicken nuggets, taquitos. Ooof. But they survived and thrived, and you will too.