Today is the third day of second grade, so far so good. I have to say that I like Cameron’s teacher and I think he’ll do well in her class.

Of course she does things a little different than the first grade teacher so that will take some getting used to. I never want to be THAT parent so I try to follow the teacher’s rules to the letter.

So far the only thing I’m not a fan of with second grade is the classroom supply system. Cameron only has a few on his own school supplies at his desk, the rest are put in a big pot for everyone to use. To me it seems a little socialistic. Really, I wouldn’t mind buying two sets of school supplies to make sure that every kids had their own stuff. I’ve asked my teacher friends to explain the why of it all and I get that it helps keep the kid’s work areas neater and makes it easier to move from one task to the next but how about teaching the kids responsibility instead. Be responsible for your own stuff, that’s what I had to do.

The major issue I have with all this sharing is the spread of germs. They’re second graders, not exactly the models of cleanliness. When Cameron was in Kindergarten they used this same classroom supply system and he spent the week before winter break and most of the Christmas holiday needing breathing treatments for a respiratory infection. Oddly enough, when he had his own supplies in first grade he never missed a day of school and wasn’t sick all year. Coincidence? I think not!

Enough about my issues, how’s Cameron doing in the first few days of school?

Not as well as I would like actually. He keeps saying he hates school. The past two years he loved school and seemed to really enjoy himself. I hate to hear him say he hates school and doesn’t want to go, it breaks my heart.

I’ve asked him if something is going on or if something happened and he says no. I’ve asked him how he likes his teacher and he says she’s really nice. The only thing I can think of is that he is much like me in that he doesn’t like change.

I’m hoping as he adjusts to the new teacher, class and routine that his attitude changes and I’m going to work at home to try and make learning fun.

How are your kids adjusting to the new school year so far?

I’ve really been looking forward to getting both the kids back to school but not necessarily for the reason you might think. I need to get some kind of routine back into this house.

Don’t get me wrong, The Summer of Mommyland has been a blast. The adventures the boys and I went on and the memories we made are worth the disaster area my house has become. Letting my chores go undone to have fun with my boys was one of the smartest things I’ve ever done.

With that said, it’s time to get things in order again. For my sanity’s sake.

I do really well when I can check things off and by doing a little bit everyday I never feel overwhelmed by the house work that needs to get done.

I had stumbled across a great iPad app that I used before to make sure I was getting it all done and I’ve dusted it off and started using it again.

Last week I started getting my daily chores finished each day. First of all I started to feel more relaxed knowing that things were starting to come back together. Then as the week progressed I noticed that it was easier to get things done, I was actually excited to see the house looking neat and tidy again.

Doing well so far this week!

I’m hoping that by the end of next week I have this place running like a well oiled machine again.

Do you need to get things back in order after the summer? How do you ease yourself back into the routine?