Dear Teachers :: I’m Sorry and You’re Welcome
As I dropped my kids off for their first days of school, I felt guilty.
I suddenly remembered all the things we didn’t do this summer. We didn’t complete the optional summer packets or work on flashcards for phonics. We didn’t go online for IXL for math practice. My fourth grader only read one chapter book, and complained about doing so. My kids got out of routines and sleep schedules slipped. They watched too many shows and seemingly forgot how to interact with humans in a civilized manner based on the thousand physical fights and screaming matches I refereed.
So teachers: I’m sorry. I didn’t do all the things I meant to do from an academic preparation perspective. I also let them become a little wild. I didn’t enforce rules and routines. And I’m pretty sure they snacked all day and didn’t eat many real meals. So I am sure your job is a little more chaotic this time of year because of moms like me.
But for all the things we didn’t do over Summer Break, we did get a few things right. My kids visited family far away and got to learn about a different part of the country. They went to the World War II Museum, which prompted one of my sons to become keenly interested in studying that period of history, and learning more about our family’s connection to that time. They worked on their pancake flipping skills (still not great) and became pretty good boogie boarders. They volunteered with their Dad most weeks to serve breakfast to our unhoused neighbors, and learned the importance of sharing what you have extra of — time, money, possessions.
So, for they things we missed: I’m sorry. And for the all the really cool stuff they learned: You’re welcome. I hope you’ll enjoy spending time with them this school year as much as I did this summer. They are, in fact, pretty cool kids.
