Most people think about big transitions happening in the new year and in the fall.  In January, we all get to push the reset button and begin again.  We get a fresh start that coincides with a brand new year.  It’s our “second” chance of getting it right. There might be some planning involved as we decide which workout program or diet to try, but otherwise, we are indulging in life right up until we have to make a change.  If I’m honest, most of us don’t lose any sleep over the idea of January 1st.  It’s typically a transition we are ready for after a couple of months of holiday cheer.

For parents, fall is a big transition time. This is traditionally when we watch our babies start kindergarten, elementary, middle, and high school and when many of us have to say goodbye for the first time because our kids are going off to college or starting a new job.

Summer, however, is not a season we typically view as a time of transition.  In fact, most of us equate it with vacation. However, ask any mom, and she will tell you that if there is a change on the horizon, she will begin stressing over it at the beginning of summer.  Moms everywhere are currently thinking about school supplies, dorm necessities, sports physicals, apartments, how far the drive is to see her child, if she has prepared them for this transition, safety, and how quickly time passes.  In fact, I would venture to guess that every mom of school-age children or older have watched a ballgame, a parade, a TV program, read on the beach, or walked the streets of Disney during the summer months and thought, “It’s the beginning of everything changing.”  It’s not about waiting for the shoe to drop, it’s about knowing we need time to prepare our hearts for what lies ahead.  We need to walk through these scenarios in our heads months in advance so we are ready. 

Also, it takes the entire summer to complete the school checklist! Just ask any mom on August 1st who hasn’t made an appointment for their child’s physical and just realized it’s due TODAY! I am here to tell you summer is no time to let your guard down.

Seriously, there is, of course, time for vacation, but I’m not kidding when I say that summer just frees our minds enough to make room for all of the thoughts and feelings about whatever is about to happen.  

So, if you are a mom and you are reading this, it’s okay.  You aren’t alone.  I’m also sitting here thinking about a daughter moving, mapping out the distance, wondering if she is prepared to be that far away, wondering if I am prepared for her to be that far away, thinking about how proud I am of her and how excited I am for this next adventure.  I’m also thinking about how sad I am that I can’t go see her for lunch, an afternoon shopping trip or just take her some soup when she isn’t feeling well.  

I’m happy, sad, proud, scared, questioning everything, and at the same time completely at ease; basically the same way I felt when she started kindergarten.  Some things never change.

If your baby is starting kindergarten this fall, buckle up because you are in for the ride of your life.  If you, too, are saying goodbye and watching your baby move onto their next adventure, I feel your pain. 

Good luck moms and dads. You’ve got this.