The Runaway Mama by Jen Gregory

 

It’s the night before school

The kids are in denial.

This summer has been endless

I might not make the last mile.

~

On the one hand my kids

Make me lose my mind.

On the flip side I’m dreading

The back to school grind.

~

School lunches and homework

And PTO asks,

Projects and dioramas

And last minute tasks.

~

Our lazy mornings

Have been easy and chill.

Our all-day pajamas

Have been better than the drill…

~

Of brushing teeth

And getting dressed

And eating breakfast

Before we’re pressed…

~

For time to tie laces

And pack up by eight,

With me pointing my finger yelling,

“We’re going to be late!”

~

But the time has come

For structure and rules,

For taking baths

And wearing shoes.

~

I’m desperate to pee and

Grocery shop alone,

And to be interruption-free

When I’m on the telephone.

~

The time has come,

So let’s get real.

Once I drop them off

I just might squeal…

~

With joy that they’re gone

All day until three.

There will finally be time

For me, me, me, ME!

~

I know it’s hard,

I can tell they’re sad

But the thing is,

I think they’ve forgotten how to add…

~

And subtract and spell

And there’s this thing called reading.

When I ask them to do it

They act like they’re feeling…

~

Tired or sick

Or caught in a fish hook.

They’ll do absolutely anything

To avoid touching a book.

~

They have to go to school

To reboot all they’ve lost,

And they need a break from Minecraft

At any cost!

~

All good things

Must come to a close.

Tomorrow morning

We’ll be in the throws…

~

Of schedules and practices

And forms to fill out,

Of runny noses

And God forbid a bout…

~

Of the stomach bug

Or the dreaded head lice.

Whatever the season brings

It’s time to roll the dice.

~

Their hair has been cut,

New sneakers have been bought.

The backpacks are ready

Whether they care or not.

~

I’ll cherish the summer

(Except for YouTube and “I’m bored!”)

But tomorrow morning

I’m cutting the cord!

~

Let common core math

And book reports commence.

There’s no turning back

And there’s no good defense.

~

We must embrace the chaos

And the testing, oh dear!

It’s time once again, Mamas

For another crazy school year!

~

Good luck to all, and to all a good night!