May and August Moms, Plus a Late Summer Reminder

We have experienced quite warm temperatures here this past summer. It has just in the last week or two started to cool nicely in the evenings so that we can open our windows and enjoy some naturally cooled air, unless there happens to be some whiff of skunk (or sometimes direct sprays of skunk in the immediate area) in the cool summer air, in which case we quickly close the windows and turn on the house fan to circulate some air. But, I digress. Cool summer evenings are (finally) here, which means crisp fall days will be here next, which means (dun, dun, dun!) school is coming. And I'm not ready yet.

In past years, I think this would have sent me into a panic because I used to be a 'May Mom,' a mom who would start planning for the following school year in May of the previous school year. I knew exactly what we were changing from the previous year, which curriculum I had to buy, where my sons needed to be enrolled for art (and they would already be), and exactly what was going to be on the agenda for the following year. When August rolled around, all of the curricula had arrived and I was ready.

This year, I have become an 'August Mom.' I just started to think about school again. I'm a teeny bit overwhelmed since I used to be a 'May Mom,' even though I know what I need to do. I need to finalize my plans for the upcoming school year and look at a couple of other companies. I need to order a math test booklet for my younger son, buy some math dvds for my older son, finalize their art class registration, talk to my neighbor about teaching them sewing (what? didn't you males out there take a sewing/home ec. class in middle/junior high school?), find information on gym classes, find someone who might be willing to teach my sons wood shop, and find a way to teach Korean this year, 'cause last year's method didn't work very well. I would like to start printing worksheets, quizzes, and tests for science and history now, instead of printing them as my boys need them.

I used to think that I had to have all of the answers, have a ready solution, and basically know it all since I was the parent and an adult. Basically, be as close to my version of 'perfect' as I could be. Pffftt!

My Dearest and I need to teach our sons lovingly, patiently, and show them how to overcome adversity gracefully, determinedly, and cheerfully. I'm sure I'm missing some fabulous adjectives and adverbs, but I think you get the idea. If I were striving to be 'perfect,' what would that teach our children? What kind of expectations would they put on themselves and what would their expectations be of those with whom they interact? How would they know the value of forgiveness and being forgiven, by others and most importantly Christ? I shudder at the thought. We need to show them Christ's love, mercy, humility, kindness, and forgiveness. If they don't learn this at home, where will they learn it? So I need to remind myself to relax the 'perfect' curtain, I know they're peering in.

And I'm not anxious that I'm not ready for the school year yet.