back to school—finally

Today was the first day since one day in March 2020, a year and a half ago, that Camilla and Isaac went off to school by themselves. It was an intense year of homeschooling and fear and of learning and growing. Isaac reads now. Camilla speaks Spanish. And now it's back to school like never before. Small classes, masks, social distancing, uniforms. New schedules, new teachers, new classmates. And time away from parents.

    Meanwhile, in England, Lulu and Max are off to school in their new uniforms. The kids they meet can't understand the way they speak—"wadder" instead of woh-tah." But all the kids are excited.

The parents on the other hand, are somewhat trepidatious. As the magic bus comes to take the children away, their feelings are mixed. The desire to keep children safe while giving them a measure of much needed independence is the balancing act of parenthood. And then there's a bit of guilt, too, for the relief of not having child care 24/7 and not having to be all things—teachers, meal providers, babysitters, launderers, nail clippers, hairdressers, disciplinarians, exercise coaches, companions, organizers, doctors. Oh man, it makes me tired just to think about it!