The Sweet Sound of “Back to School”

I remember reading a quote by actress Reese Witherspoon in People magazine once that said, “If you aren’t yelling at your children, then you aren’t spending enough time with them.” By that assessment, let’s just say that we have spent some serious quality time together at our house this summer. Come August, no sweeter words were ever spoken than “Back to School.”

The thrill of endless summer days is gone. The novelty of jumping in the pool before breakfast has worn off. The tedium of applying sunscreen has become unbearable, forcing me to instruct the kids to “just play in the shade” instead.

The excitement of getting to sleep in has been replaced with the excitement of having peace, quiet and solitude for a seven-hour stretch. I’m once again willing to concede my mornings over to making lunches, whipping up breakfast and trying to get kids out the door (like herding cats). I am that ready for the reprieve that Back to School brings.

Here are 12 more reasons why “Back to School” sounds so sweet to moms of school-age children:

1. Cleaning house will no longer be an act of futility. At least until the kids come home.

2. No more threats of, “I’ll give you something to do…”

3. The heated debate over watching Sponge Bob or iCarly has been rendered moot.

4. Video game sanctions can be reduced from a threat condition of red back down to green.

5. Looking for something to keep the kids busy? It is now called “homework.”

6. Unless you get a call from the school nurse, a productive day is now entirely possible.

7. You can stop pretending it’s “Take Your Child to Work Day” Month.

8. Public or private school – either one’s got to be cheaper than a summer of entertainment, camps and/or childcare.

9. Errands can happen without a bribe and exercise without a Kids Club battle.

10. Finally, a chance to see an “R-rated” movie.

11. Feeding lunch to a herd of kids is now the school’s problem.

12. Retreating to the bathroom with a magazine becomes a choice again, and not a desperate attempt for a moment of peace and quiet.

So whether Back to School means finally settling into a routine with a non-negotiable bedtime or the chance to reward yourself for a summer well done (mani-pedi? fro-yo for one with unlimited toppings?), one thing is for sure: sending a fruit basket to your local school district just seems right.

Kelli Wheeler is an award-winning family columnist and Sacramento mother of two. You can follow her on Twitter.com/Momservations. And for Kelly's tips on how to "Make Back to School a Breeze," be sure to check out this month's Online Exclusives.