Today is June 2nd, and it is also the day when routine comes back to Parmar family after almost two and a half months of madness! That is the only word that can define what hits our household when the kids’ summer vacations begin. This year we traveled a fair bit so almost 3 weeks were spent away from home. No unlike other women, I don’t have the habit of parking myself with the kids in the maayka (parents’ home). Not that I wouldn’t love to put my feet up and get pampered. But because, the kids will still be on my head and in unknown territory they become even more demanding of their parents. Also because I work professionally virtually, and it is a little difficult for me to work from any other place except my home with its reliable broadband and my old faithful chair and desk.
So, as we wrapped and labeled the last book last night, the kids were excited and actually looking forward to going to school. They wanted to meet their classmates, and they had got sick of all the restrictions of yelling less, fighting less, time restriction on gadgets and TV viewing! Phew! They wanted a break. And damn right, I wanted one too. But I am sure it was a fun vacation for them. They pretty much did what they liked. I never put them in any classes ever so they decided when they wished to sleep, wake up and do what they want with their time except the restriction on their gadget playing time. Both my tablets have been usurped by them.
This morning was fun! I was up at 6 after quite a few days. Yes, I did have some perks too during their vacations. And the kiddos who had been waking up around 9ish were up on their own, bright and happy at 6.30. My jaw dropped, and I must say it was a great start to the new academic year. They were ready in a jiffy. And were off by school bus, shiny new bags bulging with new books. Lunch boxes packed with love. Uniforms neatly pressed. It is the first day of the new academic year. And big brother has been given the responsibility to drop the younger sibling to his class before going to his own. How easily elder siblings slip into the responsibility of parents! Two decades back, it was my sister who was doing the same for my brother and me. Circle of life indeed. The more we change; the more we stay the same.
So the morning excitement done with, I am at my desk, bright and early, ready to attack the work week with gusto. I am grateful for the silence and the play list playing while I hum to myself. I look forward to excited tales when they are back later in the day. For now, it is business as usual.
Routine is good!
Courtesy: Thethingswesay.com
Routine is definitely good. And I’m learning it the hard way. I need to wait till Thursday for routine to return to our household 🙂 But on the more positive side, lots of travelling for your family and don’t forget, the “My choice movie weekend :P”
haha We all learn it the hard way when summer vacations begin :). And folks like us who work from home don’t know where to bang our heads. For me, movie experiences are totally different. G and I catch movies sometimes when they are in school :-P.
I love the back to school rush. With Vidur the “new things” madness gets taken care of in the last week of March as they have a month of school in the new academic year before the vacation starts. So May June is spent on projects and holiday homework. This year we didn’t stress on planning travel as we’re all happily busy at home. We’re just taking in a few day trips.
All the best to your boys – I like that they are looking forward to the routine. A routine is a blessing, no?
Oh okay! In a way this is better. I’d hate to attend school after exams though I see some schools do what Vidur’s school does. A routine is definitely a blessing, Vidya. Thank you for the wishes!
Yes, routine is good, definitely. Not having children I have always been used to a quiet home. But when my nieces and nephews visit for their yearly vacation, the first few days are a lot of fun with all that activity and crazy stuff. But after a few days, a part of me begins to miss all that quietness. Most of the times I am successful to steal some of that quiet in the afternoons, before the fun and craziness begins again 🙂
Enjoy the routine 🙂
I can imagine, Beloo. Kids are so noisy that we adults start getting antsy and pining for our noise-free existence :). Thanks for reading.
My daughter’s Pre-School starts on 9th June and yes, it will be good to get back to a known routine 🙂
Indeed, it will be, Jairam :).
That’s one rejuvenated family. Wishing that kids a fun filled fulfilling academic year ahead
Thanks, Jaish! You used just the right words — rejuvenated family :).
🙂 loved your line.. the more we change, the more we stay the same. Here’s wishing both the lovely boys a wonderful academic year, give them a big hug from me :). and I know what you mean by it being difficult to work from anywhere but home… I told Pradeep the other day that I have begun to dislike vacations offlate because of this very reason 😛
Thanks, Seeta! Will pass on the hugs :). I totally get you about that working from anywhere. It is like our homes have become our offices. And we need to be there in that environment to function correctly :). Gurdev understands because he knows working from home.
It feels nice to have the routine back after a good long vacation! You tend to appreciate it even more,no!
Here the schools are waiting to be shut for vacation by the end of this month! Cant decide who’s more excited about the vacation though..kids or parents 😉
hehe Deeps! Yes, we appreciate it even more after the long vacation :). Good luck to you for some noisy days.
wow they were up at 6:30… the boys really were excited to go to school. 🙂 I used to sulk and cry at the end of every vacation.
The elder son had put an alarm and woke up on his own :). Today also I was pleasantly surprised to see them wake up themselves. I am sure they were a little sad at going back to school but the excitement was there as well.
yep…routine is fun…now I wait for June 5th..to get back to routine…with the in laws being at home for a couple of months more, the brat gets some respite from waking really early…they will drop her to daycare a bit later I guess…after that, its morning screaming, waking, shouting and then getting ready..
you know what I am dreading the most…
Combing the brat’s hair *shudders*
haha I lucked out in the hair department. They don’t even need to comb their hair :).
In my work there is no routine. Few years back I have left the routine work ie. corporate life behind. So its a journey like a roller coaster ride – at times 14-16 hour work days in the film sets/ all night work etc and at times it is a bit more relaxed albeit even more intense but quiet wait for wildlife to show up before me…
I think we hate routine work because it becomes monotonous and predictable. If we can do something to spice up the normal work then we may not hate the routine stuff.
I know, Sabyasachi! I admire your work and passion for your field. Routine work can get really boring if it is monotonous. I enjoy my work too that I do from home. So you can understand how distracting it is when the kids are home. It is not their fault and we did do a lot of fun things too. But finally, one does crave for some order and peace :).
We are so looking forward to school too. Aanya is starting her nursery this year in a new school and is super-excited to go to her BIGGG school and to ride a bus. Unfortunately, she caught conjunctivitis last week and that meant we lost the first day of school. Now all set for tomorrow and me too looking forward to having a few hours to myself. 🙂
Oho, I hope Aanya is doing better now, Priya. It is terrible to see the little ones suffer. I hope you are getting the few hours of me-time today :). Good luck to the little one for the BIG school!
Rachna you spoke my mind!!! I can’t work anywhere else either; even if there’s a table, chair, computer and internet, it’s not my table or my chair. People look at me like I’m nuts when I say this, but I’m so happy to see that I’m not alone!!! After nearly three months of vacation, I can’t wait for school to start next Monday!
Glad that you feel the same. I attract the same confused looks. Just because we work from home, everyone safely assumes that we can just about work from anywhere :). I can imagine how eagerly you are waiting for next Monday.
I completely agree. Although I do not have kids, I always look forward to coming back to work after a vacation. I like the familiarity of my desk at work and the people around.
You sure are a doting mom! 🙂
Yes, one does need that familiarity and routine as you pointed out. Thanks for reading, Soumya!
Brought back memories of first day of school! Such excitement! Whew! 😀
Routine is definitely good 🙂
Thanks, Pix! Yes, I always sit and reminisce about my own school days when their school begins :).
haha 😀 and how I am waiting for school to begin here. The vacations got extended by a week or else I would have been rejoicing with you too 🙂
I can completely understand you, Jas :).
It’s lovely to have them around but it’s also lovely to have your own me-time! Luckily, our kids are grown up enough now to be semi-independent, which also helps a lot, doesn’t it?! 🙂
Absolutely! Not only me-time but since I work from home, peace ensures that I can work optimally. Luckily, yes, they are semi-independent and can handle so much on their own :).
Yes, finally the freedom of ‘routine’ is back 🙂 Yippee ! My son starts school from tomorrow. We are all in the same boat. Even I hate to be away for too long, coz my routine gets disrupted. Its great to have kids around all the time, but well, its even better when they are away at school for some hours 😀
You said it, Asha :). Happy going back to routine to you too!
haha what u said about kids becoming more demanding of their parents at other places..so true!!
Routine is good..but thats for u coz u have been travelling. I do need a break!!!
Yes, I understand. You really must take a vacation, Red!
We are soul sisters Rachna. I can so identify with this post. With my son and brother at home, my routine has gone for a toss. Back in the groove next week.
But I loved this break. Maybe I needed it.
I think you needed it, Alka! Hope you are having fun with your son and brother. Good to have you back.
Of course it is! Modern kids seem to have changed quite a bit. Can never remember myself EVER being too eager for school 🙂 But, then, I lived in a company town and did not need to go to school in order to meet school chums 🙂
Yes, things have changed drastically including parents who are crazy enough to work from home and not do conventional jobs :D.
Loving the routine too. The mad rush and the relief when you find the house totally silent. Then the wait for them to return so that the circle starts again.
Loved your post. Glad to find your blog.
Thanks so much, Preethi! Welcome to my space. Indeed, we all crave our boring routines, don’t we?
I wonder if there is a way to fit in waking up at 8 am to this routine. Because that would make it perfect!
haha I am so grateful that you are not my son :D. I have renewed respect for how your mom must have woken you up all those years ago.
I can totally understand your feeling. Though routine sounds boring at times, it is the most comforting thing. Our holidays start tomorrow. In holidays, all I crave for is less traffic hitting the main road at the same time 😛 see how selfish I am? not bothered abt kids and my traffic alone? hehe…good luck for their new year 🙂
hehe You are not selfish. We just practical with age ;-)!
How similar our feelings were, Rachna 🙂 Except that I think I actually yearned for her to be around this time. I don’t remember feeling that way last year or the year before. Sigh, I must be getting old.
So true, Shailaja! For me I was looking forward to them getting back to school perhaps because I work from home and I could do with a little more peace :).Welcome to my space, Shailaja!
You are a ROCKSTAR momma … no wonder the kids were super happy to go back to school .. God bless and lots of love and hugs to you and all the best to the kiddos for the new academic year 😀
Thank you for your kind words, Sangeeta. I am glad that all of us had fun and now we are back to the routines we enjoy :).
I think there are a whole lot of us waiting for the schools to open. Although nowadays my 3.5year old is learning to not disturb amma when she is working (he knows that the room I work is my ‘office room’ and I go to ‘office’ daily), the wisdom lasts only as long as he is distracted by something else. As soon as he gets bored, he expects me to come and play with him. I was completely away from my work and blog for more than a month, and am only just getting into the groove once more. Come 11th, kiddo’s (and mine as well) vacation would have truly come to an end.