To all the parents out there

I'm not actually a parent, but I have worked with high school kids for a long time. You have a great and terrible job for the next several years. My heart goes out to you--you don't have a little boy any more, but you have the rare and wonderful task of training a man.

God bless you on your journey!

Phead rolls out to Auburn on Sunday.

Phead rolls out to Auburn on Sunday.

Poor kid. ;-)

I'm not actually a parent, but I have worked with high school kids for a long time. You have a great and terrible job for the next several years. My heart goes out to you--you don't have a little boy any more, but you have the rare and wonderful task of training a man.

God bless you on your journey!

Aww...how sweet. What a wonderful way to look at it. Never thought of it that way. Thank you for opening my eyes. I hope that I do, do a good job of raising a caring, loving man.

Poor kid. ;-)



Aww...how sweet. What a wonderful way to look at it. Never thought of it that way. Thank you for opening my eyes. I hope that I do, do a good job of raising a caring, loving man.

I bet you already have.;-) I'm a year behind you and don't like to think about my little girl already being in high school!

Hugs to you sweetie! It's hard, but was one of my favorite times as a parent. I loved the high school years. Just keep doing what you've been doing and it helps to sleep lightly.

who have sent there "Babies" off to high school this year. I can't believe that the day is here. It was with a heavy heart that I watched my son get in a car this morning to go to high school. It just made me realize that I probably only have about 4 more years with him at home. I am sure it will fly by. So, to rest of you that have done the same thing, or will this month, I will keep you in my thoughts. May they all be safe!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Darlene, I'm 2 weeks behind you, friend. I'm mainly excited and just a little nervous.
I pray Jess was getting a ride from a mom!

I bet you already have.;-) I'm a year behind you and don't like to think about my little girl already being in high school!

Well, I like to think I have. ;-) Oh, man that 8th grade year flew by OL. She will be fine, as I am sure all of them will.

Hugs to you sweetie! It's hard, but was one of my favorite times as a parent. I loved the high school years. Just keep doing what you've been doing and it helps to sleep lightly.

I know what you mean about sleeping lightly my friend. I have already started that. He went to the movies this weekend with an older friend who has his licsense already. I gave them a curfew, and I was watching that clock until I heard that car pull up in the driveway. I might add, they were home about 5 minutes before curfew.

Darlene, I'm 2 weeks behind you, friend. I'm mainly excited and just a little nervous.
I pray Jess was getting a ride from a mom!

There is a part of me that is very excited for him. I had the most funn in High School and still have some wonderful friends that I keep in touch with (and go to the beach with every year). I am a little nervous though. Actually, Percy, he rode to school today with a friend and his Senior brother. Only because the High School buses did not run today. He didn't want me to take him (you know, the coolness factor). Anyway, he will be riding the bus starting tomorrow. The high school that he goes to is about 15 miles from our house, on a 2 lane road that scares the bejesus out of me. So, I will feel better if he rides the bus!!!!! I will be thinking of you in a couple of weeks, and want to know how you are handling the situation. ;-)

I'm not actually a parent, but I have worked with high school kids for a long time. You have a great and terrible job for the next several years. My heart goes out to you--you don't have a little boy any more, but you have the rare and wonderful task of training a man.

God bless you on your journey!

Well said NoHall because everyones children are "our" kids really and no I have no doubt that Darlene will continue to do a grayt job.

and don't worry too much, because from what I see and hear they always come back home. even when you don't want them to.

...let the journey begin!!!! Go forth and prosper, Jesse!!!

The high school years ARE the most fun! You'll see a new, more confident boy develop. But I am warning you, it WILL fly by. Then you'll start researching colleges VERY soon.

The high school years ARE the most fun! You'll see a new, more confident boy develop. But I am warning you, it WILL fly by. Then you'll start researching colleges VERY soon.

It does fly by. Enjoy every day.

Yep, JR is right. It's will be the fastest 4 years in your life. So ENJOY, although there will be times that aren't too much funn for you as a parent.

Darlene, bless you {{hugs}}...ShallowsSquirt starts his freshman year two weeks from today.

It hasn't really hit me yet, as Squirt has been practicing basketball at SWHS, and actually attended sixth grade in the high school building as the middle school hadn't opened yet. In addition, ECMS and SWHS share a school bus route, so no change there. In fact, it doesn't seem different at all, yet...

Check back in two weeks and I'll be a blabbering idiot.

Yep, JR is right. It's will be the fastest 4 years in your life. So ENJOY, although there will be times that aren't too much funn for you as a parent.

Yes, these are the years where you really hope you've modeled your own life well and passed on your own values & expectations. Training your child to make the right decisions and learn to be a conscience young adult with strong ethics and morals.

Then, there's the driving aspect.

Holy cow you start school early!!!!! I have one more year till my daughter goes off to high school.....thanks for reminding me to treasure this time

Yes, these are the years where you really hope you've modeled your own life well and passed on your own values & expectations. Training your child to make the right decisions and learn to be a conscience young adult with strong ethics and morals.

Then, there's the driving aspect.

The driving I thought I was going to have a nervous breakdown. Something very unsetting about watching your kid drive off knowing he is "suppose" to be responsible for the other kids in the car with him. He$$, he could barely take care of himself.

Our first born is now going to go into her sophomore year and we'll have two in high school in another year. the time is indeed flying by and I had that same thought when she started high school -- only 4 more years. Now I'm thinking "only 3 more years". So far so good, though, and we hope it continues. I haven't worried about her yet other than all the pressure kids get to start thinking about college so young! And she started driving this summer (though she can only drive with a parent in the car so far). But it was nice having her drive me to Whole Foods. I find the hardest thing is that she has started to have to make trade-offs and choose some things (e.g., soccer) and not do other things (e.g., volleyball) because of time conflicts. Or having dinner at a family event versus going out with her friends or vice versa or going on vacation versus going to a tournament (or vice versa). It has been hardest on the family scheduling and finding times when we can all do things together. A kid in high school sports does make it difficult to plan vacations because they don't give out the sports calendars/practice calendars until right before the season starts.

who have sent there "Babies" off to high school this year. I can't believe that the day is here. It was with a heavy heart that I watched my son get in a car this morning to go to high school. It just made me realize that I probably only have about 4 more years with him at home. I am sure it will fly by. So, to rest of you that have done the same thing, or will this month, I will keep you in my thoughts. May they all be safe!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Darlene, my baby's going off to Purdue on Sunday. To college! I'm a little bit sad but only a teeny little. It's too exciting to waste time with a long face. This is a whole new world for Philippa--and a whole new world for us, too. I am looking forward to these next four years (we've already laid down the law about how college is only four years, please ). It's been a joy to see our baby grow up to be a beautiful young woman ready for the next adventure life is bringing her. Go Boilermakers!!!!!

Lil' FFF starts her sophmore year on Thursday. It is fascinating to watch her become a young woman, she seems to change and mature on about a monthly basis. The driving is the hardest part for me to watch. FTLOG! We live in Birmingham....she is driving on the interstates!

Hugs KDW!

as you all know, i don't have kids, but i love when the kids here go back to school ! it means winter is on its way, and vaca is just around the corner. plus i can go to the mall during the day and it won't be so crowded !

my friend at work, her son is a freshman this year too. she's been crying all week because she had to register him for his classes.

What an exciting time!!! It is filled with lots of laughs and a few challenges. As it has been posted, time goes by so quickly. Just enjoy each moment. With the youngest being a junior in college, I have finally adjusted to empty nest.....yep, I am a little slow.

Jesse is fortunate to have a good mom like you! Keep us posted!!!

So Darlene, tell us, how did his first day go?

You all are so sweet to help me through this transition period. The first day went good. I found out that they have changed from 3, 6 week grading periods, to 2, 9 week semesters this year. Actually, I like this idea better. Also, he brings home all the required paperwork for me to fill out. Each class has different fee that needs to be paid. Man, those fees are getting higher and higher. Believe me, there is no more "free" education I tell you. I got to thinking as I am writing these checks (yes, a check for each fee, can't right just one) , that we live in a very rural community. 85% go 95% of the kids that go to school with Jesse are on a free or reduced lunch program. How in the He$$ are they going to pay all of these fees. I feel so sorry for them. Perhaps, the teachers will be lenient when it comes to the kids that can't pay. Jesse, likes all of his teachers so far, and he didn't get lost trying to find his classes, so all is good. I will keep you posted.

What an exciting time!!! It is filled with lots of laughs and a few challenges. As it has been posted, time goes by so quickly. Just enjoy each moment. With the youngest being a junior in college, I have finally adjusted to empty nest.....yep, I am a little slow.

Jesse is fortunate to have a good mom like you! Keep us posted!!!

Awww...how sweet. Thank you!

Lil' FFF starts her sophmore year on Thursday. It is fascinating to watch her become a young woman, she seems to change and mature on about a monthly basis. The driving is the hardest part for me to watch. FTLOG! We live in Birmingham....she is driving on the interstates!

Hugs KDW!

Girl, I would be freaking out if Jesse had to drive in B'ham. However, when I was 16, my mom lived in B'ham and I went to see her about every other weekend. I guess it helped me to drive in that traffic, but I don't think I would live through Jesse doing in until he was about 20.

Darlene, my baby's going off to Purdue on Sunday. To college! I'm a little bit sad but only a teeny little. It's too exciting to waste time with a long face. This is a whole new world for Philippa--and a whole new world for us, too. I am looking forward to these next four years (we've already laid down the law about how college is only four years, please ). It's been a joy to see our baby grow up to be a beautiful young woman ready for the next adventure life is bringing her. Go Boilermakers!!!!!

Oh, how exciting Mermy. I hope she enjoys her college years as much as I did!!!!!!

Holy cow you start school early!!!!! I have one more year till my daughter goes off to high school.....thanks for reminding me to treasure this time

I know....geez, it feels like they just got out for the summer!!!!

Darlene, bless you {{hugs}}...ShallowsSquirt starts his freshman year two weeks from today.

It hasn't really hit me yet, as Squirt has been practicing basketball at SWHS, and actually attended sixth grade in the high school building as the middle school hadn't opened yet. In addition, ECMS and SWHS share a school bus route, so no change there. In fact, it doesn't seem different at all, yet...

Check back in two weeks and I'll be a blabbering idiot.

"Squirt", my daddy still calls me this. And in two weeks we will all be here for you!!!!!

...let the journey begin!!!! Go forth and prosper, Jesse!!!

Well said NoHall because everyones children are "our" kids really and no I have no doubt that Darlene will continue to do a grayt job.

and don't worry too much, because from what I see and hear they always come back home. even when you don't want them to.

How true.....I am afraid mine will never leave. ;-)

Kathy my daddy used to call me the same thing How funny.

I hated the fees and all the different checks. My kids high school started a system that you paid for everything at registration about 1 week before school started. I think the PTA arranged it and upperclassmen worked it with their guidance. I liked it. You got your class schedule, picked up your books, and locker assignment, paid all your fees together with one check, had your class ID made, put your books in your locker and went home much poorer.