Balancing the back-to-school blitz

(ROCKWALL, TX – Aug. 19, 2016) At the moment of writing this, we are planning a blitzkrieg end-of-summer family trip to the hill country. Our plan is to rise at 4:30 a.m., hit the road at five, devour kolaches in West, TX, then head directly for Enchanted Rock State Park. When we arrive, we’ll hike the granite dome summit, which rests a near ½ mile from the base. Afterwards, we’ll head into Fredericksburg for food, wine tastings, homemade ice cream, shopping, and a visit to a peach orchard. It’s our last ditch effort to grasp on to summer fun together before it fleets away.

Nevertheless, school will begin and our time will be jammed with games, practices, homework, meetings, and studying. Every single year I feel we floor it in August and drive “white-knuckled” all the way to December, grab a breath, and do it again till next summer. I do love back-to-school, but now with two of my kids graduated, I’ve realized how harried I’ve been in the past and how much I’ve missed as we get up each morning and rush out the door. So here are a few lessons I’ve learned that have helped us get more out of the back-to-school rat race.

First, remember, as parents, our ultimate job is to guide kids to maturity so they leave home well. My oldest boys are both pursuing professions that make a direct impact on people. The first-born is progressing toward firefighting and my second son leaves for Marine bootcamp in September. We’ve endured rough spots, but Angie and I stuck to our rules and we fight to stay close with them, and I couldn’t be more proud of the direction that they are pursuing—and as a bonus both of them have grown from being sons to my closest of friends.

Second, don’t forget that school is a priority. Of course, we all agree, but often our schedules don’t reflect it. I’ve had countless kids that were so busy at night that they couldn’t complete homework and couldn’t stay awake in class. Remember, it’s about doors opening for them in life, and if you can’t read or do simple math, it really doesn’t matter the number of touchdowns you scored in little league. As parents, we are gatekeepers of our family time and the time they need for school. Be involved, absolutely, but if the kids are just scraping by, it might be time to hit the brakes a little.

Finally, encourage them to greatness, no matter their path. My youngest son graduates this year; he’s the one that we always figured would become the brain surgeon and out earn us all, but he’s considering the Marines like his brother and from there, maybe college. My 4^th grade daughter is determined to be a vet, but who knows, she’s got plenty of time… but we don’t. It’ll pass like the summer wind and they’ll be grown and I don’t want to miss that time because of the breakneck pace of back-to-school.

By Scott Gill of Rockwall, teacher, coach and author of Goliath Catfish. Follow Scott’s blog at puptentpapa.blogspot.com and read his “Front Porch Ramblings” at BlueRibbonNews.com.

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