My daughter started kindergarten today and it was so strange coming home to spend my days without her. I joined an active playgroup when she was fifteen months old and I was an Assistant Organizer in the group. I stayed pretty busy and now it is really strange and weird going from one playdate event to another day after day, helping plan events and doing administrative type things in the group to pretty much almost not doing too much at all. I cleaned the house and did laundry and was done by 10 a.m.
It is going to be so different too because with the playgroup, I had the moms to interact with and do things with and now it feels like I did before I joined the playgroup. Lonely.
How do you adjust to this kind of change?
My plan is to start going to my local community center and getting one of their personal trainers ... my biggest issue w/ not working out is no time away from my son ... well THANK YOU SCHOOL!!!
What about joining the Parent Volunteer Program at school. The schools budgets are cut more and more. The only way to make school an enjoyable experiance is because of parents who can volunteer their time to help.
I work full time, but I have helped with the end of year Rootbeer Float for the 7th graders. I got a few of my co-workers who children where in the same grade to help. The leader of the PVG said that it could not have been pulled off with out us parents. The leader rounded up local business to donate gift cards, and items for drawings for the kiddos. They can always use the help!!
The play group should evolve to a Moms group!
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I hear ya sister! My kid starts K next week :(
I think we are entering a whole different world and about to play a whole new ballgame. But I promise, if you stay active and involved in your daughters class you'll meet other moms and will have plenty to do to help the teacher and other parents.
Don't be lonely. This will be a great time to pursue YOUR interests and meet other people who share those interests.
Find something you like to do. Join a gym, a book club, find a walking group, volunteer at the school if you want, volunteer at a hospital or nursing home, sign up for art classes, go to playgroup without your daughter and visit with the other moms, find a mom who's child isn't in play group and do something grown up together.
Here's the deal: you've been mommy doing all mommy things for the last 5 yrs. Everything in your day has revolved around being a mommy. Now your child is on a new adventure called school and it's as big of a change in your life as it is hers. Time to reinvent yourself and start something new too.
Can you volunteer at her school? Or somewhere else a couple of times a week - that would get you out and with other adults.
Good luck!
L.
You sound like a great fit for volunteering with the PTA and or being a class mom. There is no shortage of volunteer opportunities at an elementary school. Just a matter of what you see your self doing. Hang in there girl. xoxo
All of the previous answers were right on. I had this similar situation where my last child started Kinder last year. I took some time for me and just relaxed. Now I get out and do things. Find something you really enjoy and do it. And help out at the schools as well. There's plenty of things to do.
Volunteer. School, church, somewhere you are passionate about.
Volunteer at the school, and maybe even join the parent/teacher organization.
I agree with the room mom suggestion...or assistant room mom...or classroom volunteer. Once the teacher gets school rolling there will likely be all kinds of volunteer opportunities to help with kindergartners. You could be the permanent Thursday morning volunteer. Then volunteer in the school library on the day when the class rotates through there...then have a standing playdate every Wednesday (?) with old playdate friends. I used to have a Tuesday morning coffee with lady friends. A routine will come. Good luck!
I've read the other responses and having been there, done that, let me say all schools need volunteers. When my daughter (now 27) was in school, I worked and could not volunteer as much time as I wished I could, but there was one mom that was a SHM and she was able to volunteer LOTS! The teachers loved it! There are so many things to do there. Start with her teacher. You sound very organized and there is always a shortage of "home room" moms. Then step in the office and ask the secretary about volunteering in the LRC, lunch room, for PE. There are numerous places just at her school that will more than occupy your time!!!
I wish I felt like you do! I've had four kids home all summer and I am counting down the hours until school starts on Monday!
My advice: enjoy the quiet and free time. I'm taking the opportunity to go back to school to pursue another passion. You have to reconnect a bit with who you were before the little ones took over all of your thoughts and time.
I had 3 babies in 3 years. I was ecstatic when I put the last one into school. I immediately started back to college to finish a degree I started working on before having babies. Staying home and doing nothing will drive a normal woman nuts, so look for activities that interest you. Volunteering at your daughter's school, working on projects in church, hospital volunteer . . . there's a whole world out there!!!
Weird.. I can't even imagine that. Knowing me, I would probably go take a class somewhere or take a long nap.. or do a hobby, learn to sew, paint something, start a vegetable garden, read a novel, learn to bake or do the 30 day freezer cooking, start a business, volunteer at a women's shelter, get a part time day job....
join MOPS Next: http://www.mops.org/page.php?pageid=2507&srctype=menu...
