Back to school ritual!

I have fond memories of going back to school. The fun of getting school supplies, buying new back to school clothes, finding out who my teacher was and who was going to be in my class. Nobody warned me that on the other end of this was a parent who was dreading this "back to school ritual". The time, money, chaos and frenzy that all hits in a small time frame. Who ever started buying new clothes to go back to school anyway? Can't the kids just wear the same clothes they had all summer long and wait until all the fall clothes come out on sale? After all, most clothes are out a full season before you really need them. Being the organization guru, I also feel compelled that when they get their new clothes, that I need to start organizing and purging the old clothes. This, of course, has to be labeled and sorted according to what I am planning on doing with the outgrown clothes. There is a pile for "good will", a pile for my friends who have younger kids and a pile for those couple items I just can't seem to give away. I am not sure what is so sentimental about a couple of frilly dresses and a couple cute sweater vests, but I still hold onto them. I am sure that I have given some of you the advice to get rid of this stuff to declutter, but I truly understand a couple pieces that you just love to keep.

What does all this amount to? Well, I have gracefully learned to accept this ritual for what it is.....the next page in a book for your little one to enter into a new school grade and for you to realize they are one year closer to growing independent. With all its chaos and craziness, I wouldn't miss the back to school ritual. It is almost like a party to celebrate the next year in school. In fact, I think parents should start their own "back to school ritual". We could do it honor of us not being able to fit into our clothes anymore or in celebration of just making it through another year!