Back-to-school makes quiet neighborhoods

There is one place missing at the supper table nowadays, perhaps already there or soon two or three, depending on the age of the students who have either gone off to college...

There is one place missing at the supper table nowadays, perhaps already there or soon two or three, depending on the age of the students who have either gone off to college for the first time or are back in school after the summer recess. Have you ever noticed how easy it is to get used to someone’s returning but how long it takes to get used to the absence when they leave?

A lot of parents (it seems as if it’s mothers especially) finally got their children prepared and packed for their entrance into college life. It took a great deal of doing on behalf of the parents to get the necessary items for the dorm room or apartment where the student has entered. The car looked like one that was going cross country with all of their belongings tied to the top, but no, it was only Sally or Junior going off for their first time. Most times, the student will have his/her car packed as today’s students have their own transportation.

Meanwhile, once they have left, those remaining home have found a great void in the house with an empty bed, room and place setting. Mothers try to believe they are only gone for a short period and nothing has really changed, but it’s down deep inside that they know that nothing will ever really be the same again.

Meanwhile, we have the young mother who has en- tered her “bay” either in Head Start or kindergarten. Nothing will ever be the same with that child again either. It isn’t quite like when they went to nursery class for care school for one or two days a week or when mom worked. For the little one, it was “big time.” They are in school now and they will take on a personality of their own. It’s the facts of life, children grow up and go to school. These mothers do a certain amount of fretting and worrying for fear they won’t like it (and some don’t and oh what a time). Perhaps they will get in the wrong bus or in the wrong room or worse yet, get lost. But somehow everything always seems to turn out right and go like clockwork - how many lost children have you heard of on their way to school. Or fallen asleep and missed getting off at their stop? It happens.

These moms try to busy themselves after the child has gone trying to make themselves believe they are enjoying having a little time off from the burdening cares of child rearing.

We also have the mothers who have “raised the flag at home,” so to speak, that they have been liberated. There possibly aren’t anymore little ones.

So soon, September will bring about a few changes in almost every household. If you don’t have kids in school then you have neighborhoods who are now very, very quiet - in fact, too quiet - you know why? Because you miss the kids.