This year my son is going to a new school - he's leaving elementary school behind and heading to middle school. He auditioned for, and got accepted into, a special magnet school - a Performing and Visual Arts (PVA) school - and it starts tomorrow. I'm so darned proud of him!
Getting him there is going to be a challenge. It's public school, but because it's outside of our regular area the bus makes only centralized stops. What that means for me is getting up and out by 6:45 a.m. to get him there on time. (I'm used to leaving the house around 8:00 for elementary school.)
The other thing is that I am also going back to school. I have been enrolled at University of Maryland (UMUC) for the past couple of years but have only taken the occasional class here and there. I have decided it's time to stop playing around and finally get my bachelors degree. So Biology 103 starts tomorrow. The syllabus says to plan to devote about 20 hours per week to this class. Ouch. Who has 20 hours to spare? Well, I don't, but I'm going to have to find 'em somewhere.
What this means is I need a solid game plan, I do not want a reason to derail my progress. Remember, I want to make this all fail proof! So I need to think in terms of "How can I ensure success?" rather than "How can I survive this?" Big difference in outlook and outcome, methinks.
So in planning, there's a lot to consider. I'm a single, working mom. I have to factor in a 45 minute commute each way, about an hour per day of exercise, about 2.5 hours per day of homework/reading, some cooking time, some eating time, some shopping/errands/housework time, and of course, some quality time with my son. Hmm.
Here's the initial plan: Make lists and post them prominently where both my son and I can see them. Make sure we have the "as soon as you get home" list of things to accomplish at the end of the work/school day, (prepping food, cooking dinner, doing homework, etc) the "before you go to bed" list of things that must be done (get clothes ready, pack the next day's lunch, son take shower, Carly blog etc.) and the "as soon as you get up" lists (get in some exercise, mom take shower, etc., bring lunch,bring son to school) etc.
It's going to be hairy, and I'm totally going to need to rely on my son to step up and take some responsibility for himself. I've kind of spoiled him (sort of) in that I haven't required him to do that much around the house. Well, we're a team and my side of the team is getting a heck of a lot busier and so he'll need to pitch in more. Frankly, I think this is a good thing.
A really encouraging thing is that he is looking forward to, and planning for, a healthier lifestyle this upcoming school year. He wants to get more fit. He wants to exercise more and eat better. He's TOTALLY into the smoothies We made one yesterday with radishes, cucumbers, spinach, kale, parsley, coconut oil, bananas and strawberries and he loved it!
I think I started making these changes (quitting smoking, eating healthier, exercising) just in the nick of time. I think much of this is going to be incorporated into what my son just does naturally as he gets older (he's 11 right now.) I am so thankful for the friends and family who helped me get to this point. You have no idea what a train wreck I was just a few years ago. And here I am now with weight goals, health goals, work goals, school goals and a son who's chomping at the bit to try out this new, advanced curriculum at his new school while also getting more fit. Incredible.
I think I can work it all out. It might take a little 'growing pains' to figure it all out and work out schedules, etc., but anything's possible if you don't give up! Whew! Wish me luck!
xoxox
Carly
Update: I now have purchased all his school supplies, all his school clothes, and he has a nice new haircut. Now to get myself in order.
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