Back to School

 The one support system I probably haven’t given enough credit to is St. Madeleine Sophie School. As an alumna, I can’t say anything or write anything worded strongly enough to express my gratitude. 

The school community has been a shoulder for me some days, and made sure dinner was on the table others. From the moment I notified them my mother-in-law would be picking Couraira up, because her Dad had been rushed to the hospital they never missed a beat. 

The teachers have embraced my daughter’s wild spirit when they knew she needed to be handled with care. Regardless of the pandemic, they still found ways to maintain safety and give her the feeling of contentment. 

Mrs. Sloan and Mrs. Hosey (the principal and head admin) have always been willing to provide any aide they can. So have the staff, the faculty, the families, and even some of the students have sent us well wishes, and prayers. They’ve demonstrated generosity, and some have reached out outside of the school environment on social media. This serves as a reminder that people care. 

So while we’re all talking shop, and preparing for back to school, I like most moms welcome it with relief. But, not for all the same reasons. My daughter cries on what she calls “stay home says”. She begs for school some days. It’s not because she doesn’t love being home, there are some days she cries to stay home, but it’s because she knows they love her. 

 I bring Couraira knowing she’s in the BEST hands. Her teachers last year and this summer have shown me that not only do they love our children as their own, but they genuinely care for the school families. That sense of community is a rarity theses days. 

The point of this post is not just to call the members of the school community out and praise them, but it is for the other moms sending their children back to school. You’re doing great, and when you feel like you’re lacking remember your kids have other wonderful forces in their daily life as well. So you couldn’t ease all of your child’s back to school jitters? That’s  fine, because hopefully there is a teacher waiting in a classroom to remind your child they’re doing great throughout the day. 

My other point is don’t feel silly asking for help. When the school first asked how they could assist me, I told them I didn’t know. I was scared, pregnant, and exhausted. They stepped in offering meals on days they knew I was stretched too thin even with family support. 

It’s okay to accept that help. 

Take the charity. It doesn’t make you a charity case. It makes you human.