The Summer of My Regret (aka Parenting #FAIL)

So, in a few starts a new school year, and with it a conviction that I need to do a better job.  I had lots of plans for our empty August, and shortened summer camp hours, and none of them came to fruition.  No potty training, no book learning, not much homeschooling, and precious little cooking.  I’m also convinced I can do a better job with the diets (still haven’t started Feingold Diet, yet, getting there…) or advanced supplementing  or the Changing Minds Foundation protocol.  I’ve been distracted by my career, which is going well, and neglectful of other things.

I do believe someone had TOO much fun this summer!

We have a vacation, we swam, we had some day trips, and the kids had summer school Yup, we had some fun and we are super-relaxed.

She taught herself to swim

There is a lot of good going on now, especially professionally, but I need to get back in the swing with the kids.  This means:

• creating routines. God, how I dread them, but I need them.
• playdates during the year.  We never do these.  Turns out I’m as shy about initiating them as I was as a child. But my girls have no voice for this themselves, so I have to.
• sports is ON this year.  Learned a few weeks ago that free skate is near my house, and I can groom Amelia for special olympics next year. YAY.
• kid time means KID TIME.  No distractions. We will cook together, do night work, and find magic that doesn’t come out of a square or rectangular shaped electronic box.
• Work Time means WORK.  I have a lot to do this year, and I’m psyched about it – plus, I’m confident I can accomplish it all in the time allotted and still sleep.
• write.  Not just blog.  My writer bone is ITCHING, and I’m looking to start taking classes come January. It’s TIME.
• exercise.  Yes, good luck with this, because its been on my to do list for about 2 years now, but I have to.
• reinvent food.  Food intervention and supplement backup is my goal this year, and I want to go to the National Autism Conference in November. Great birthday gift, yes?

I’d love to sit here and make a commitment for the new school year, but I’m kind of terrified, since I know how well that will go over.

Much to do, but also much joy in the mix.  I’m happy, I’m psyched, it’s going to be Mom’s school year too (and yes, that means volunteering more!)  So we’ll see.  How was your summer, and are you doing the Hallelujah chorus over the first day too??