You guys, it’s the LAST DAY OF SCHOOL!!
At 4:00PM today, the Shull kiddos will all officially be on summer break 🙂 .
Before I head off to do all of the fun “last day of school” things, I thought we could take a little look back on this ’22-’23 school year (and I’m a bit mushy this year, so my apologies in advance 😉 )…
As a mama, I’ve learned over the last nine years of sending kids to school that some years are great and others are not so great (and we’ve had both!). On the first day of school, all you can do is pray and hope for the best as you send them on their way…because honestly, most of it is out of your control.
This year, we had…
…so much fun really enjoying our middle schoolers…
…this was such a fun season because…
…Kensington was able to cheer at Smith’s games 🙂 .
Here’s the deal with middle schoolers (in my opinion)…they’re complicated.
Like really complicated.
I love these two so much, but I would be lying if I didn’t say that this was a growth year in every sense of the word. Want to know my biggest struggle with raising middle schoolers? I could be one so much better than them. Ha! Seriously! That’s my problem. My problem is that I apply my age, maturity and experience to these two kiddos and expect they do what I think they should do. If they would just let me dictate their entire lives, it would certainly make things easier for me. But…I’m who I am today because my parents let me be me which involved a whole lot of mistakes, trials, errors, bad decisions, natural consequences, self-reflection, self-correction, and time.
I hear from many of you who are sending kids off to middle school for the first time and you’re terrified. As of 4:00PM today, I’ve survived middle school now for the second time (once myself and once via Kensington), and I’m 2/3 of the way through with Smith. My encouragement to you would be that it’s going to be okay. It really is. You’ll all have good days and bad days and days with a lot of homework, drama, hurt feelings, and crankiness…and did I mention all of the early mornings and evening practices and games? You’ll have it all. You’ll also have more mature conversations, a ton of laughs, so many proud mom moments, and you’ll have way more freedom as they become more independent. You’ll love so many days. I promise you, it’s going to go by quickly, so try and enjoy every awkward middle school moment.
My elementary kiddos had a fun year too…
…Mades fell in love with volleyball…
…Ashby dominated at soccer…
…and they quickly realized all the perks to having older siblings. They get to stay up much later thanks to all of those late night games, they have all of these new friends and a wider social circle (again, thank you, team sports and other siblings!), and I’m pretty sure, their diet was 25% concession stand food this school year. They loved it all 🙂 .
I love being a mama more than anything in the world!
And I really, really love my family time…
It was a year of growth…
…we gained a second teenager…
…we conquered lots of obstacles and kept on shining…
…and we wrapped up middle school.
Watch out world, we’re about to enter high school. This mama could not be more proud and feel more blessed that God has given me these four humans to raise.
Now, it’s time to officially make all of those fun summer memories. We’re ready! xx
Elspeth Mizner says
This year flew by! So glad you had a great year. Happy summer!!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Natasha says
Your comment about “I could do middle school so much better than they could” really hit home for me today. We have one month left of middle school with our oldest and then we do it all over again with our youngest. I’m praying your perspective will help me have more patience with our second round of middle school and remind me to hold our oldest lightly as HE experiences high school. It’s his turn, not mine. Thank you again for this perspective.
And enjoy your summer. As I mentioned above, we still have more than a month of school left (June 28th is our last day – ugh) and I am MORE than ready for our summer break.
Mix and Match Mama says
It’s so hard to know how they “should” be doing things, but instead of interfering, just allowing them to work through it. Ugh. Parenting is hard. Enjoy your last month!!! I will be very envious of your schedule come August when my kids go back 🙂 .
Kristen Thompson says
Congratulations on another school year in the books! I’ve been reading your blog since you sent Kensington to Kindergarten and next year I’m about to send my oldest to Kindergarten and I feel like that time flew so I know it probably went crazy fast for you! I am having all the emotions about my oldest starting elementary knowing how time will fly even faster now!
Mix and Match Mama says
Awwww! Enjoy every moment!! These years are so sweet, but boy, they go by quickly.
SS says
Awe Shay,
I will.say Middle school was awkward. I think high school had even more of those days…so hang on to your hat. High school kiddos want to be even more independent. First loves, heart breaks…etc. Wait until they learn how to drive…ugh.
Our center kiddo has completed Sr year. We are now parents of 2 high school graduates!!! Yikes…where did the time go??? We have one left in school. So enjoy all the moments and savor them because it really does go by so quick!!!
Our family has been through a lot the past few years and like you I could not be more proud of all of our kiddos. They mean the world to us!!!
To all the mamas out there…. Sit back and enjoy the ride because like Kenny Chesney says…Don’t Blink!!!
Happy Summer Shulls!!!
Laura says
Okay I know this is a “summer” post but that adorable concession stand picture of the younger two made me so ready for fall! Lol just me?!
And what wonderful encouragement for future middle school moms! <3
Mix and Match Mama says
I am ALWAYS ready for fall. Don’t tempt me or I’ll light a pumpkin spice candle and turn down the A/C and pretend 😉 .
Clarinda Zavala says
Thank you for the middle school encouragement. My daughter goes into middle school this fall. Really appreciate your insight because it is scary.
Mix and Match Mama says
It was so scary for me too, but I promise you, it will be fine. It might be weird and hard at times, but I’ve truly seen my kids bloom in more ways than I could have imagined through these years. She’ll do great! Enjoy your summer!
Sara says
I always tell my kids, if you made your decisions like I do we would argue a lot less. 😂😂
Mix and Match Mama says
100% right?! Ha! I just know I could be a much better middle schooler now at 41 than they can be. 😉
Alison says
😂 This is fantastic.
Kay says
Awwww, thanks for sharing! I needed! this today. Three teens here, 17, 15, 13 and lately the high schoolers have had allllll the moods. Not easy! But your reminder that we all experience ups and downs really helps. Thank you, Shay! I hope you guys have a wonderful last day of school.
Sheaffer says
What a sweet post!!!! I loved it.
Karen says
Congrats, another year in the books…enjoy a fabulous summer! Looking forward to following your adventures. Btw Kensington’s hair looks amazing, did she get some high lights done? Fabulous color and so shiny…look out high school!
Mix and Match Mama says
She did! Thank you!!
Alison says
You can just see the growth with your kids. I love it. 😊 As a mom who is now gearing up to launch baby #1 – last day of senior year for my oldest! I can safely say, Kensington is about to live her best life! HS is so fun! For kid and parent. But it’s a downhill slide, so hang on, momma! #allthefeels
sandi says
I have survived kids in middle school four times now and have had three graduate high school; the youngest is still in high school. Your two paragraphs about our wisdom at our age and middle school is spot on.
Surviving middle (and high) school as a parent come down to two things… keeping the conversations going and keeping your face neutral. Being willing to talk about ANYTHING is important. Keeping your face neutral and not overreacting is important if you want them to keep talking. Inside you can rage, but outside keep that face from acting shocked. Just two weeks ago I had a conversation with two of my college kids that was really hard. As believers we have instilled in our kids that sex should be saved for marriage. That is NOT what the majority of kids are hearing. One daughter’s next door suite mate probably slept with seven guys this past year, and one she only knew for several hours. Knowing my daughter is seeing this first hand is difficult, knowing that she and her boyfriend of two years have set the bar high in their relationship is heartwarming. They set the boundaries high because we talk with BOTH of them continuously. It’s not a one time conversation, it evolves as they mature and can handle more information.
I have so much more I could say, but man, the WORLD is talking to our kids are we are not. Mommas we need to take our kids back from the world no matter their age and be willing to have hard hard hard conversations. Will they make mistakes? YES! Will we love them anyway? YES! Will we make mistakes? YES! But dive in, be embarrassed, turn red in the face, these are our kids and they deserve to know why we believe what we believe and why we think it’s in their best interest.
Lois says
Keep the faith, momma Sandi!
Beth Valenta says
Happy Summer to all of you! I can’t wait for my last day soon. I love that you treasure those sweet memories. I miss watching my daughter play sports more that anything!
Denise M. says
If only our kids would let us make all of their decisions things would be so much easier, right?! HAHA! I remember other parents telling me once your kids get to high school the years really fly by. Our youngest is now in high school and those parents were exactly right. It flies by in the blink of an eye! I wish I had your middle school advice several years ago. I think I would have done a much better job 🙁 Our school’s last day is tomorrow. Happy Summer!
Connie says
You are so right about middle school! I’m so glad we are done with that chapter! My daughter didn’t care for it, but did great. She’s a senior this next year now! My son did fine except for a few months three girls would punch his arm everyday in one class, because he wouldn’t date their friend! I was furious when I found out after seeing his arm bruised. He just sat there and took it because they wouldn’t stop when he told them too. The principal put a stop to it immediately! Have a great summer in Nantucket! 💕
sandi says
I got a little soap boxish on a prior comment on your lighthearted last day of school post, sorry about that 🙂
My three college kids are home, high schooler has one more week. Everyone has a summer job or internship so this will be a much different summer than the carefree summers with younger kids. Hoping to get some weekend travel as a family in as permitted by work schedules. Hope the summer house is all you dreamed it would be!
Mix and Match Mama says
Sandi, you hop on your soapbox ANY DAY, friend! I’m always so blessed by your thoughtful comments and insights as a mama. xx
Jessica says
When my kids were younger, end of the school year always kinda made me sad. It meant they were another year older, and I just didn’t want it to be true because it truly goes so fast! Once my oldest entered MS, it was a whole new ballgame. I thought 8th grade would be the death of me, but it turns out, Freshman year for my son was much worse on me. Who would have thought? HA! I couldn’t have been more ready for the school year to come this year. It was a doozy of a year for sure. I will have a sophomore and 6th grade come August, and a tween and a teen is… well… interesting.
Jen says
Things have been so “easy” so far! I am not ready for this. Buckle Up as they say! I have 1 going into middle school and 1 still in elementary. Fearing the worst and hoping for the best. I appreciate all the mother’s in the trenches comments, but I’m def scared of these years from here on out haha.
Mix and Match Mama says
You’re going to do just fine in middle school! I promise you!!
Ashley says
“Want to know my biggest struggle with raising middle schoolers? I could be one so much better than them. Ha! Seriously! That’s my problem. My problem is that I apply my age, maturity and experience to these two kiddos and expect they do what I think they should do.”
THIS!! And thank you to your reader who commented about keeping a neutral face – I need to work on that! It is so hard to see the strugglers of a middle schooler through parent eyes, especially with the additional stressors they have that we didn’t.
Thank you for sharing – but super jealous, we still have a week of school ;(
Mix and Match Mama says
I do not typically ever have a neutral face…having middle schoolers has tested my ability to try hard to maintain one though. Good luck, mama! Enjoy that last week of school!! xx
Sara says
Happy Summer, Shay! I 100% agree, middle schoolers are really complicated. Wow. I saw your first and last day of school pics and noticed Smith’s hair looks exactly like my sons! Is that what they are all doing… growing it out? I’m trying to let him figure out his own style, but, man, I miss that close clean cut 😂
Mix and Match Mama says
Amen, sister! Me too!
Sarah Shaneyfelt says
HAPPY LAST DAY OF SCHOOL!!!!! Mine is tomorrow and I cannot wait to spend all summer with my babies!!!!!
MeetTheShaneyfelts
Mix and Match Mama says
Enjoy your summer!! What a special season for your sweet family!
Kelly Bonner says
My daughter just completed her first year of middle school here near Houston (our middle school is 5th/6th) & you’re SO right! It is such a time of growth & independence, but so much fun too!
Paula says
I feel like a proud far away ‘aunt’ watching your children grow up throughout the years. 😂 Each growing into the beautiful person God created them to be. Each stage has the pros & cons, but sending one to college {GO VOLS🧡} in the fall, I would go back to diapers & sleepless nights in a heart beat. Growing up is so bittersweet! Days are really long, but the years are truly shorter.
Enjoy your summer in Nantucket. Excited to see all the pictures!
Mix and Match Mama says
Thank you, Paula!! You wear that proud aunt title well, please! I’m honored to have you on this journey with my family. xx
Heather says
Your comment about feeling like you could do better at middle school really hit home with me, specifically the part you mentioned about applying your maturity and life lessons to them and expecting they treat situations the way you would at your age now. From now on, I will be reminding myself constantly of that! There are so many times I tell my 7th grader how she should do something, knowing full well that once she gets older she’ll see the value in it, but forgetting that I was once a 7th grader who would do it the same way she is doing it! Learning is a part of the process, so reminding myself to let that happen will be huge!
Beth Knecht says
You got the mail on the head! Middle school is so awkward! One minute they’re crying, the next laughing! Middle school hormones are crazy, but it makes teaching them so fun and never a dull moment! Hoping for lots of growth as Kensington spreads her wings in high school!