Tomorrow morning the twins will start their first day of high school.
I’ve been crying off and on all day. I can see how little time we have left. I know how quickly these four years will go by. It’s a few dinners, a couple of vacations, just four more Christmases.
After that, they’ll move on. They’ll come home, but it won’t ever be the same. One morning soon I’ll wake up and they won’t live here anymore. I won’t be able to give them a reassuring hug before a big test. I won’t be able to ease their problems by making their favorite dinner or sneaking them an extra treat. There will be less laundry, less noise, less arguing, and less home.
I would love to sit with them all night and give them advice about high school. There is no chance they’ll listen to me. I don’t blame them, I wouldn’t listen when I was 14 either.
So instead, I’m giving them my advice here. Maybe they’ll read it, stranger things have happened.
Be Brave - High school is hard and kids can be mean. Don’t be afraid to sit alone at lunch or to walk alone to class. Before you know it friends will be sticking to you like magnets. If not, it’s their loss. Don’t let your friends pressure you to do anything you don’t want to do or be anyone but yourself. You don’t need to impress anyone or prove anything to a real friend.
Enjoy The Ride - Go to football games, homecoming, and pep rallies. Show your school spirit. Take part in every cheesy, clichéd, high school event. Toilet paper your friends houses, but never egg them. It’s mean. Same goes for smashing pumpkins, it makes little kids cry.
Be Nice - Especially to your teachers. They spend most of their day dealing with the bad kids, don’t be one. Even if you think the teacher is mean and nasty, be nice. Try to remember that they’re people too.
Don’t tease the nerdy kid, the fat kid, the poor kid, or the special needs kid. I know you won’t always be able to stand up and tell your friends to stop, but at the very least don’t participate. When you have your own children you’ll ache with regret for teasing anyone.
Work Hard - It matters. Every grade, every test from this day on matters. Do your best and good grades will follow.
Eat Right - Just because they serve french fries and burgers every day does not mean you should eat them. Have an apple once in a while.
Remember that it’s a jungle out there. It’s a big, scary world. But once you walk through our door you are always safe and always loved.
Aw crap. I just got really nervous and watery-eyed for you. Don’t worry though. There’s always the chance they’ll live in your basement until they’re thirty. That’s what I’m counting on with Gabe at least.
Don’t curse me like that.
Bridget you are such a great mom! What great words of wisdom. I am feeling these same feelings and Elise is just entering Kindergarten!
Thanks! You’re a great mom too:)
They are growing up fast. You are a cool and a great mom! I hope that they will always remember that they have a mom who will stand by them.
I hope so too!
Making me cry. I feel this way about my daughter moving up in her preschool class. I can’t begin to imagine high school. Big hugs to you!
Thanks:)
You are such an awesome mom!
My twins have not even started school yet and I get a lump when I think about it.
It doesn’t get any easier, no matter what grade.
Great advice, my friend. Great advice.
Your twins are going to do great in high school – and beyond.
And you’ll be there…every step of the way.
Thanks:) I’m excited to see what’s next. Sad, scared, and excited all at the same time!
I am making my son read this and I hope I can find this when they go off to high school to read again, because they won’t listen to me. Sweet and true.
If you scroll down, you’ll see my Dad commented. “It’s a jungle” is his line. I listened, I think our kids will too. We just won’t know it until they have kids of their own!!
Oh man, you killed me first thing in the a.m. We moved Ted into Purdue on Sat., and Elena started her senior year today. Enjoy the ride thru HS, my dear.
It makes me weepy to think about Ted and Elena all grown up! How did this happen?
I am glad you remember all that stuff i told you !!!
SEE! I listened! It IS a jungle out there!! Love you lots!
I am now crying on my way to work…
Don’t crash! Love you Bean!
Oh Bridget, that is so true. Grab a camera and start clicking away, you won’t believe the pics that you have when they graduate, you can sit back and laugh at all the silly stuff they did and were wearing after they start college and you can say to them, “Remember when?”, lol. Enjoy these years they will be rough but wonderful at the same time.
I know, I am as scared about the next few years as much as I am excited for them.
first, I remember 9th grade jitters. I was never in the IN crowd, just a floater among many groups. I would have eaten much better, too
second, you have high schoolers?? I’ll pray for you.
Thanks, I’ll need it!
Silver lining: Middle school is over.
Amen sister!
I’m right there with you with my oldest starting high school. I hadn’t thought about 4 more Christmases etc…. Boohooo
THAT makes me sad! I hope he enjoys high school but it’s such a tough road. I pray your twins enjoy high school and all that’s in store!
Blessings,
Mel
Please feel free to stop by: Trailing After God
Thank you & I wish you luck too! We can compare notes over this journey:)
Such GREAT advice and words of wisdom… in a real-life, truthful, kind manner. I kind of want to print-it and save for when my babies are ready for that next chapter.
Enjoy your ride!
Thank you! I’m going to try hard to enjoy it. I know it will go by too fast.
I hope they read this. It is good advice for high school. I hated my high school years.
Taryn did. When John said good night to me she was like, “HUG HER, she’s been crying all day!” (I did not cry in front of them-she knows from the blog:))
Okay now have a tear in my eye!! What great advice aswell!! Hope they have a great 4 yrs!!
Thank you! They will, they’re good kids.:)
Aw, good luck with the kiddos first day at high school! And, I really love the advice you gave, even if we all know they won’t take most of it to heart, or at least won’t admit it, you gave very well thought out and heart warming advice, I wish someone had given me that advice my first day of high school!
Thank you:) I hope they get something out of it.
I’ve been worrying about Kindy, but I think H.S. is also a HUGE adjustment! And it kind of made me laugh to read your list because I also was talking about the quality of school lunches with my mom today!
My son was so excited about the lunch options! Guess what he had today? “Nothing, the lines were too long.”
Okay, I am all red faced and teary eyed on this end. It’s such a realization for me, all three of mine walked out the door on Tues. as a high school freshman, junior, and senior. They are all but grown up
I am so not ready for them to leave our home and head out to start life on their own. I guess when they say you can hold a childs hand for a short while, but their heart forever they were gearing it for moments like this.
By the way you gave Taryn, and John wonderful advice
Oh Jen, I’m sorry. It’s so hard isn’t it? It just goes by too fast. You’re kids are great and they have a great mom!!!
Thank you friend, right back at you
I want to confirm the fact that being egged sucks. In 7th grade, when John Morris from Mr. Duda’s woodshop class egged my house, my dad jumped the fence and chased him down. I. Almost. Died.
I existed off of a diet coke and a 3Musketeers for lunch everyday. Why was I so skinny back then? Apparently, nutrion or lack thereof has no effect on the 16yo ass. The 36yo ass is a whole different story. Now, if I look at a 3Musketeers, it grows.
Great advice!
Thank you for he confirmation. The kids are always more trusting of others, than they are of me!!
I am a twin also and I am also entering High School this year. Super excited! But we are going to different schools. I am ready to split not so sure about him though lol. Great advice by the way!
Good Luck in high school! Have fun:)
[...] Taryn and John started high school. It was the worst day of my life. As much as I love the young adults they have become, I miss the [...]