Being a Mom on september!

Today is about my children's routine every September.

Every year, since my youngest son was born, that they had never been on the same nanny or school facility at the same time! It's been exhausting having to travel every morning before going to work to different places and picking them up at the end of a work day as well.

They are almost 2 years apart and that it's difficult to manage when (1) the school that we can afford doesn't have all the benefits in terms of them staying together at the same building and when (2) you don't have money for another school that has them close to home.

This year, when they finally had the chance of staying in the same place, my oldest entered public school and the other didn't. Which means... another year of back and forward to 2 different places.

We still have hope that the little one gets to enter if any kid want's to change school or drop off, but it's a long shot. Until there we need to suck it up and do it!

Another funny thing about September that I think is common to many parents, whose kids are at school most of the year, is what I like to call the "Gremlin-phase", the phase when they turn in to a completely different being at the last days/weeks of the holiday.

Some characteristics of Gremlin-phase: 

• They start to forget that they know all the rules of society (especially if someone goes to your place or if you decide to go somewhere with them.)

Eating out turns into a mix of yelling because their excited and crying all over the floor because they don't want pizza at that time. 

What do you mean, you don't want pizza?! We chose pizza because you wanted it!!! 

• They don't understand anymore that we are the parents and what we say goes.

Even if it's just to eat the last piece of pasta of the plate... they complain! 

And most of the time, they are still hungry! 

What do you mean, you want an ice cream? You didn't want more pasta because you were full!

• You can't threaten them with going to school because they miss it and they take it as a good thing!

If you behave like that again, tomorrow you go to school, do you want it? 

Yes, I miss my friends. 

(Where was this during the year, when I got late because you didn't want to go to school?)

And the list goes on and on.

Jokes aside, I know most of the things we say and do at this stage are not very educational, but three months of holiday in a row and a year full of work as we get in Portugal is not very educational as well and is not good for any side.

We, parents, do the best with what we have and want the best for our children, but we can't forget that we are humans too, we are emotional beings that also feel.

So my message with this post (to myself also and in the first place) is that:

As parents, we are allowed to fail and feel down.

We just have to make sure that our kids know that along the line (which is longer for some than others) we love them very much and we are giving our very best for them.

Hope you've enjoyed the post and show your kids you love them and will hold their hands throw life!💛

Kisses!

PG