Summer is winding down. The kids go back to school next week. The lazy days and late morning wake ups are over. While I look forward to the impending peaceful mid-mornings, I dread these final few hectic days.
Now comes the imminent meltdowns in clothing outlets. The absolute need to have the most expensive pair of shoes that humans have ever produced. Now comes the arguments over whether a teenage boy really does need a pair of jeans three sizes too small… In purple. Or whether or not it’s acceptable to send a 10 year-old to school in that pink shirt he’s holding.
It’s last minute runs for pencils, pens, paper… And wouldn’t you know it; that new backpack we just bought is already broken, so add a trip to replace it while we’re at it. All while making sure shot records are up to date, contact information is current and registration meetings are made on time, all in four days, because for some reason we weren’t ready. For some reason we’re never ready.
I know what the reason is. It’s my kids. I can’t buy them shoes before the very last second or they will beg, plead, steal, extort or whatever else it takes to get those brand new shoes on. Then they destroy them. New pants? Nope. Even if I hide them I have the paranoid fear that they will dig them out and put holes in them before the first day of school. They’re boys, that’s what they do.
So with school just a few days away my wife and I embark on what I have come to call the Bat-Shit Crazy last days of summer. We’ll avoid the mall, certainly. there are thousands of other last-minute shoppers out there. The mall will be chaos. We’ll stick with a large chain store about 20 miles away, as it should be a lot less busy.
Of course we’ve got to add in a company picnic right in the middle of the whole damned show.
I can’t wait for Tuesday!
Peace. I’m out.
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
Ha! Hi Jerry-
Glad to see that you can self medicate with humor
Your adventure with pre-teen boys reminds me so much of my childhood that I am a little ashamed to admit it- destroying expensive shoes, intentionally poking holes in pants, and the thing I am actually most ashamed of because it was just so brazenly difficult and wasteful- wearing socks outside. I must have ruined at least a pair a week.
I honestly have no idea what I was thinking, and can only remind you that every time they learn why one of these ridiculous behaviors isn’t a good idea, thats going to feel like a badge of honor on your dad uniform.
Anyway, hope back to school is going well and if you ever need additional resources, stop by & say hello http://fb.me/rethinkautism we believe in supporting progress in the autism community.
Best,
Kent