August is upon us and mixed feelings are in the air. Students know that the summer is half over and school is in the near future. They long for the days when they can sleep in and the most difficult decision is what bathing suit to wear to the beach. Soon, it will be adjusting to a new schedule and for some, a new school.

This is the only time of year I enjoy shopping. The parents are smiling as they collect all the pens, binders and other school supplies. The kids are a few steps behind with a sad, deflated look on their faces. I can’t help but chuckle to myself thinking that this has been the same scene for years.

The supply list has changed from a #2 pencil with a black and white composition pad to a USB drive and a graphing calculator. The tools for school have become more expensive and we are challenged to find funds in our budget for them.

Attempting to understand the package of paperwork that was sent to the house from the school requires a glass of wine. Of course, there is one package per student, so a family with three or more students may require a bottle of wine to complete.

In this a technically advanced world, why must we continue to fill out the emergency cards, in triplicate?  Within minutes we can be reached via our smart phones, FB, email, texting, etc. Wouldn’t it just be easier to just send the school a URL link for each? 

I’m looking forward to the first day of school and the gift of a quiet, neat, and empty house once more!