Jill Smokler, AKA Scary Mommy
@scarymommy
Latest posts by Jill Smokler, AKA Scary Mommy (see all)
- The Disney Reveal - May 14, 2013
- Met My Match At Disney… - May 13, 2013
- Sunday’s Baltimore Sun - May 11, 2013
There seem to be two definitive camps of mothers: Those who cry on the first day of school, and those who rejoice with the “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” commercial from Staples playing gleefully in their heads. I’ll give you one guess as to which camp I fall into…
{Let’s just say, I’m not sitting here with a box of tissues and pint of ice cream. I assume that comes as no surprise.}
It’s not that I’m totally void of emotion or sentimentality, it’s just that I’m ready for the kids to be back into school already. I’m done with the late summer nights and non-stop washes of bathing suits and pool towels. I’m over the all day play-dates and incessant begging for snacks. I’m through with the never ending afternoons in the sun and mosquito bite covered legs. So long, summer.
I’m ready to bang out the lunchboxes assembly line style and lay out the school clothes the night before. I’m ready to drop children off in the morning and pick them up in the afternoon. I’m ready to get back into a routine, thank you very much.
Sure, I’ll have my moments of tears here and there, but for today? I’m all smiles.
And, so was she.
{ 80 comments… read them below or add one }
Great photo! I cry on the first day but dance on the second day. :)
Liz @ Peace, Love & Guacamole recently posted..News flash
Yep. When they each went to K, I cried. Now we’re gearing up for grades EIGHT and THREE and I can’t wait!
Jen recently posted..Almost Wordless Wednesday- once bitten- twice shy
One week from today and I’m right there with ya! She is darling and looks ready to hit the books. Have a lovely day all to yourself.
Do you think she’s gonna be a “Scary Mamma” when she’s your age?
Anthony from CharismaticKid recently posted..“I Want A Pitbull” OR “Well-balanced parenting breeds well-balanced kids”
I’m with Liz. I cry the first day, dance & sing in the foyer the second.
Tiffany @ MomNom recently posted..I’m on a Journey…
I am so the celebrating type. I too am sick of wet clothes form the pool, late nights, summer entertaining, and I am glad to be able to work here at home in the blessed peace and quiet without hopping up half a bajillion times to fetch and carry!!!
I won’t be crying about anything other than having to get up earlier, and get dressed to take him to school, and I’m okay with that. Your daughter is beautiful.
That part does totally suck. Especially next week once they all start.
I LOVE your hurrican lamp in the background!
I’m glad I’m not the only one who looked at the picture of that beautiful child and thought “I love the hurricane lamp on the stone in the background.”
Lily is cute though too. :)
Awww, thanks! Got it at Homegoods. :)
I love back to school. Except mine is only 15 months old, so I don’t actually have the same experience LOL
Sandra recently posted..Joy In The Little Things
My eldest is starting Gr. 1 in a couple weeks and because this is the big step up to ‘real’ full-time school I think I will be a bit teary. For about 5 minutes. I am really looking forward to getting back into a schedule though, who knew the airy-fairyness of summer could get so tiring.
Christine @Grub, Sweat and Cheers recently posted..Likin’ the Hiking…
I’m with you..I remember dropping my twins at preschool last year, many of the moms were standing around dabbing at their tears…I casually said ” Well, anyone up for Target run and a stop off at Starbucks?” Silence. Needless to say, I went by myself. And it was fabulous. Enjoy..
Laura recently posted..Dream house
What losers- I would have gone with you in a heartbeat!
I wish!!! Love your humor…just like mine!
Laura recently posted..Dream house
With a 14 year old and two 12 year olds heading off, you can bet I’m singing and dancing. I need a break from hormones and attitudes. I’m going out this morning and treating myself to a big latte and a shopping trip. For *me*.
threeundertwo recently posted..We all have our weaknesses
I start back tomorrow.
Yep..
Kindergarten Aide.
Back to the noise :)
Rene Foran recently posted..baring it all in the name of honesty
Aww, congrats! It’ll be a great year!
btw: I’m one of those in the weepy camp. Mostly, I’m weepy about losing my go-fers. “Sweetie, can you go bring me my notebook and pen from upstairs?” “Honey, could you please bring me a glass of water?” “WHO USED ALL THE TP? Someone better bring me a roll right now. How many times do I have to tell you, whoever uses the last of the toilet paper NEEDS TO REPLACE THE ROLL!!! ” (Sorry. I tend to over share when I get weepy.)
But seriously, who will bring me a roll of tp *now* when I’m stranded? I have a chihuahua for chrissakes. She can’t reach the shelf.
Sigh. I’ll miss those kids during the day.
Jen recently posted..Back to School Week- How was your day dear
I think she is just as excited as you are! It must be great to have a daughter who is excited to get back to school.
Dana recently posted..Domestic I Wish!
Adorable. No school yet for us but I’m SO over the summer too.
Glamamom recently posted..EUCERIN SKINCARE GIVEAWAY
You’re happy — and guess what? You’re right — so is she. It’s a beautiful thing. P.S. Anyone who claims they cry because they are getting babysitting services is LYING. We cry because our babies are growing by leaps and bounds in front of our eyes.
Kate Shields recently posted..Ready to Demonstrate
I’m *so* with you on this one! My son just started primary school (hi from Scotland btw, lol) last week and I am LOVING having some *quiet* time in the mornings! I can’t wait till he starts full time next week! ;)
Marylin recently posted..He’s Copying!!
I have mom friends who cry and mom friends who can not wait for their kids to go back to school. As for me, I don’t know yet. My one and only starts preschool for the first time next week. I am excited for her because she is going to love it. I am going to try not to cry, but I won’t promise anything. I won’t lie, I am excited to have two hours, three days a week with uninterrupted work time.
I’m having a hard time this year, but hopefully it is just because it is the first year and after this we will be all parties and happiness and bubbles and candy and fun stuff when school starts.
Lily is beautiful.
Jennifer recently posted..Livin the dream
how cute–very pretty daughter. i am definitely the one of tears. i will be a MESS the first day my son goes to school!
The real L.A. love story. recently posted..Purple trees
I’m with you! Who’s in favor of school all year round? Raise your hands, raise ‘em high! Who do we contact to get this started…?
pamtastic recently posted..Running and Keeping Up with the Kardashians
Lily looks radiant. So nice that she loves school. miss you, it was a great visit.
I only cried dropping off my firstborn at college. now that was traumatic. all the other years were joyful [for both of us].
Perhaps those of us in the crying camp are first time moms? I think if I had more than one kid I would be more in the rejoicing camp. But, coming from the south, with a kid with a September birthday, I expected to have her home for anther year. But since we moved to NY this summer, she gets to start THIS year. And I am nervous!!! And maybe a little bit teary.
Awwww, you’ll be fine– she’ll do great!
amen. i’m tired of the HEAT. bring on fall.
vanillasugar recently posted..white chocolate cheesecake w- cherries and a mini-vacation
No shit- this summer has sucked sweaty balls.
I too fall into the latter camp. I love when Target starts their “Back to School” campaign beginning in July…it gives me hope.
Ameena recently posted..A Lesson On Interrupting
My 3rd grader was up at the crack of dawn ready to start school today. And I am beyond ready for her o go back. My son, who started Kindergarten, is a different story.
I have a foot planted in each camp. I am looking forward to having no one in the house but me, but I may cry while I’m having my me time!
Evonne recently posted..I practically stole it
I do have a feeling I’ll be more of a mess with my boys– funny how that happens.
i have a feeling that i will be doing the electric slide on the sidewalk of my son’s school as he walks into his class on the first day.
alexis recently posted..marriage before midgets
Best visual ever.
Girl, I am so with you. High five to school starting. Yeah!!
Jen recently posted..Wait- Did He Just Sit Down
I’m ready for a routine too. Any routine. For them AND me. A week from today I’ll be sending one VERY nervous girl off for the first time to K and I’ll be waving goodbye with tears in my eyes that the two year old isn’t joining her on that bus…
AND – your little girl? Adorable.
becca recently posted..I’m Off
Awwwww– we did the bus last year and she LOVED it. It was, seriously, the best thing ever. It’s the only thing I miss from our old neighborhood.
What a cutie! And is that a bunch of leaves on the ground already? The thing I loathe about autumn is raking leaves. I’m leaf-a-phobic.
Lynn from For Love or Funny recently posted..Do Witches like Pigs in a Blanket
Seriously, right? We haven’t lived here in the fall yet, but it’s going to be BAD!
Well isn’t she just a cutie pie. Enjoy your peace and quiet.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! That’s my feeling! Until I get loads of forms, homework, and volunteer duties to do.
Raquel recently posted..The Bitch at The Front Desk
I am not looking forward to my kids becoming school age. As it is now I fel like we have no time after I leave work and pick them up from daycare. Add homeworks and activities to the mix and I might just lose my sh*t. Ugh. 2 more years….
Kameron recently posted..Change
I belong to both camps. I cried then I caught myself and then I did a jig. :-) Now I am anxiously waiting for my oldest to come home from his first day at junior high. It can go either way: he can either love it or hate it.
subwow recently posted..First Day of School – The Obligatory Post
I’m in between. This is his 3rd day and I still miss, but I’m beginning to not worry about him as much as I did the past 2. I’m sure the WHOOHOO! factor grows stronger in subsequent years.
C @ Kid Things recently posted..Metamorphosis
Well, at least those Jews and their holidays will ensure you don’t have that song playing in your head too often in September.
Pop recently posted..Merciful Monday- 82310
She’s adorable!!!! I just posted our first day of school photos today here:
http://womenlivingwell-courtney.blogspot.com/2010/08/our-first-day-of-school-pictures-and.html
Since we homeschool it looks a little different – I have to write a daily schedule to be sure we get all the subjects in:
http://womenlivingwell-courtney.blogspot.com/2010/08/our-back-to-school-daily-schedule.html
I must admit there are days when the school bus goes by I want to put my kids on it lol! But I do completely enjoy it as do the kids. So for now this works for us…I know it’s not for everyone but I thought I’d share a window into my life!
Love,
Courtney
Courtney(WomenLivingWell) recently posted..Our First Day of School Pictures and Traditions
it’s the most. wonderful. time. of the year.
i sing. i dance. i cheer.
i’m going to the same camp as you!!
yay for school. get these kids the hell out of my house for a few hours/day!!
melissa recently posted..To My Youngest Son
I am totally on the same page as you. I was more excited for the first day of school than my kiddo was I think. BUT I was a little bored today.. I guess that’s where the pint of ice cream would have come in handy.
:)
There are moms that are upset when their kids go to school?
http://www.pampersandpinot.com
What an adorable photo!
I’m normally thrilled when school finally starts. But this year, I’m sending my youngest to kindergarten, so I fear I will be a weepy mess!
Mrs.Mayhem recently posted..Help! A Registered Sex Offender Just Moved Into My Neighborhood!
I’m so over the emotional first day of school stuff. I’ve been over that since first grade! A friend of mine sent me a picture of her kids on the first day of school (I so wish I could share! But since they aren’t my kids….). It was hilarious to see the woeful looks on their faces. I passed it around the office and all of the moms got a great laugh!
Gigi recently posted..The first day of school and a new aversion
So I might homeschool…which means I’ll be crying ‘woe is me’ type tears.
Yuliya recently posted..Russian traditions demystified
begging for snacks. HATE.IT.
hate it with a burning passion.
designHer Momma recently posted..I just need to get this off my chest
Me too!! I just hate the fact that I have to go back to work!!
Come by when you can…
http://www.frugaltractormom.blogspot.com
Tractor Mom recently posted..The Southern Cook
I am so gald I’m not the only one. Everyone;s talking about tears and I am waiting to bust out my break dancing moves and then promptly take a huge and much needed nap! It’s just pre-school for me but those 3 hours are much needed around here…even if they are still filled with laundry and dishes and crap. At least, as you said, there will be less towels and bathing suits.
She is so cute and looks so happy to be off!
Brittany at Mommy Words recently posted..Raising a Real Miss Universe
I agree with the darn mosquito bites. lol But I must admit I had a lump in my throat this morning. I think I was more nervous than my 1st grader. She had the nerve to tell me she didn’t want me to take her to school; she can ride the bus. tear. I’m doing the homeschooling thing with my 4 and 2 yr old. I call it MomJonz School. lol
Mom recently posted..1st Day of School
LOVE it. The total antithesis of my most recent blog post. Good for me. :) And she’s beautiful, by the way.
Becca … http://www.liveoutloutwithme.blogspot.com
Oops. Make that liveoutloudwithme.blogspot.com. :)
Becca recently posted..The Wind of Change
I can honestly say I have no clue which camp I’ll be in, because Henry isn’t in school yet. But at this rate, I think I’ll be pouring champagne in a coffee cup for the ride to school next year.
Tricia recently posted..Spinning
I am so with you! I rejoice in the new experiences my children will experience. Why would I want my kids to be kids forever? (think terrible 3′s tantrums…forever!) They are growing up and learning so much and I look forward to seeing who they will become. Put away the Kleenex ladies.
josephine recently posted..another school year
Ok. I confess…after two days of angst, I’m mostly over it. They are having a blast and I’m getting shit done for a change. Who knew, right?
I am really tired of getting up so freaking early though!
Jennifer recently posted..Flubberccino Anyone
Kindergarten is just a year away for us, plenty of time to get used to the idea.
Not a mommy, but looking forward to the start of school just the same. Looking forward to a new class to teach and having some semblance of structure back in my life too. I say that now, but I’ll be stressed and tired after the first week. The life of a teacher!
I’m in your camp. Let’s get together and make s’mores in celebration.
dusty earth mother recently posted..I Could Sell Tickets
My son didnt even start Kindergarten and I can tell you Im going to be a staples girl.
Don’t get me wrong. Im nervous and all that jazz.. but Im very excited — ESPECIALLY about the end of the “CAN I HAVE A SNACK” bell that goes off around here about every 20 min.
Corine recently posted..Ending The Summer with Lunchables ‘Created By You’ Play date
I’ve been crying all week-WAITING FOR SCHOOL TO START!
Last year, I was the mom who cried, mainly because I couldn’t believe the moment had come so soon.
This year, I was practically kicking them out of the mini-van in front of the school without stopping completely. I get it. I honestly do.
Helene recently posted..Yet another haunting tale of senseless eating
I hope to be like you when my two are ready to go! One of them is turning 3 next month – it’s time right? :o)
Natalie recently posted..Joy
My little guy is just about to start kindegarten. It’s funny, because he’s been going to daycare since he was 4 months old and I’ve had no qualms about him being there. But there’s just something about the vision of him dressed up in fresh clothes with a backpack as big as he is getting on a school bus that makes me get very emotional. Maybe because it’s such a milestone and a sign that he’s become so grown up.
SaucyB’s latest post: Why I Make a Lousy First Mate
Glad I’m not the only one in that camp. I guess every mom is different. Some are just emotional than others =)
I laughed and cried when I sent my triplets off to kindergarten for the first time yesterday—-cause I’m a nut case like that. What can ya do?
The Grasshoppa: Triplet Plus Two Momma recently posted..The Bus Stop
Aww, she is just so pretty, Jill! You know what, last year, when my oldest son started kindergarten for the first time, I was an emotional wreck – I cried so hard when he walked away, holding his teacher’s hand… this year, I’m with you – it’s the most wonderful time of the year, he’s happy, not scared, I’m happy, not scared… it’s all good! :)
Oh man, she’s beautiful.
I think my son’s very first day of school will be hard. But after that, I think I’ll be in the no-tears category. But who knows, I may just surprise myself and cry the ugly cry every year.
Allison @ Alli ‘n Son recently posted..Response cached until Fri 27 @ 20:56 GMT (Refreshes in 39 Minutes)
Well, when you put it like that I feel all silly for tearing up as kid #1 starts his THIRD year of preschool! (hey, he’s a summer birthday!)
I’ll remind myself of this next year and maybe I’ll make it through the day without sighing. ;)
Jessica Nunemaker recently posted..Giveaway- Gene Speicher Pottery from Francesville- Indiana
You cry when they go to kindergarden, senior year of high school, and college..
the wedding, the birth of the grandchildren.. I’m pretty sure that I will still be staring at them and thinking “when d’you get this big?”
angelica recently posted..On false first impressions & women who save the world
“incessant begging for snacks” – I thought that was just mine!
Miss Britt recently posted..Accepting MY Normal