As this summer was coming to an end I had more of a pit in my stomach than I normally did. Sure, I was happy to have the kids heading back to school and getting back on a schedule but this year meant big changes in our house – this year meant I was going to have a “Middle Schooler”. Between remembering my own Middle School years of angst, hearing from other moms who are in the middle of it and watching the mood changes already taking place I was starting to really be anxious about what the new school year would bring.
School began and it didn’t disappoint. There were tears over lunchroom seating, anxiety about locker opening and throw in a broken arm – well lets just say rainbows and unicorns were not showing up daily in my house. I was also quickly learning that the more questions I was asking the less answers I was getting.
We then had an unusually quiet afternoon where there were no sports practices, homework was reasonable and there were no additional responsibilities so we could just spend time together. So that’s what we did in our favorite place the kitchen. We turned on a Hallmark Movie & Mysteries episode in the background and began baking. The trial and tribulations of Middle School life were then spilled all over the island while breaking eggs and making our favorite pumpkin muffins. (Click here for the recipe)
I know not everyday can be this way but I am hopeful that by spending time together in the kitchen – even once a week – baking some of our favorite treats will help both of us navigate these Middle School years a little easier.