Getting Used to The "New Normal"

This week began my new status as an "at home" parent. It's also Bob's first time having me around more than usual and not going to before and after-school care. It wouldn't seem like this would be a situation requiring an adjustment period, but it is.

For starters, my husband is a little more laissez faire in the mornings than I am. So this week, Bob has actually been required to wash his hair (and the rest of himself)--something he's been none too pleased about. I also believe he may have been under the impression he'd be able to get away with more in the mornings since Good Ol' Mom was around. (He was mistaken.)

There have been other changes--walking or biking to school instead of riding in the car, for example--that have created problems (like when he decided to walk home with a friend without my knowledge after being expressly told not to).

It's been an adjustment for me, too. Trying to find a routine, trying to figure out what needs to be done here and there, trying to manage time under a whole new schedule. (Yeah, I know--poor me. I'm really not complaining, it's just different and taking some getting used to.)

So far, Bob hasn't had any trouble at school since his last major upset that got him suspended. I'm able to keep a closer eye on his homework (and whether or not he does it). This morning, he slept until almost 7 a.m. (as opposed to his usual 5:00 or earlier spring wakeup time)--I can't say for sure, but I hope it had something to do with the extra activity from riding his bike to and from school (our neighborhood is rather hilly).

He's still pretty irritable, and it seems his father has him back on the "I don't need medication" kick. But we're down to only three weeks of school left--we might make it.