The Next Transition Blog

Transition Planning - The Last "First Day of School" together

Tweet

 

Transition Planning - The Last "First Day of School" together

by Paul Cronin

Although this blog and website are geared to the Transition Planning needs of Baby Boomers (such as me), I felt the need to tell a story of another transition.

Today, my wife called me from work (she gets to work very, very early) to ask me to take a picture of our kids before they head out to their first day of the new school year.  This makes the 12th such picture of our girls.  It did not occur to me until after I snapped the photo, kissed them on the cheek and watched them drive away (a senior and a sophomore*), that this would be the LAST "First Day of School" for them TOGETHER.  Next year, the older one will be off to college (God help us) and the younger one will be on her driver's permit, begging me to let her drive to school (with me gripping the seat with my nails). How did that happen, and so fast?  I assume you know the biology, so I will move on.

I found myself filled with nostalgia, remembering a time when I made their lunches, packed snacks, double checked back-packs, brushed their hair and checked that they brushed their teeth.  I was never a fashion-guru, so the outfits were laid out by my wife the night before (a very good thing).  We would march to the bus-stop with all the other neighbors and snap photos of the kids. The parents chatted together while snapping photos and trying to get their kids to stop making silly faces (or the rude ones that come with middle school), it was a draw.  The kids compared backpacks, shoes and outfits, while nervously watching for the bus to arrive.  Once it did, they climbed aboard and the parents waved goodbye, while the kids tried not to be completely humiliated.  It was goofy, sweet and thoroughly normal.

At the end of the school day, I would pick them up at their after-school program and make (or grab) some dinner.  I would help them with their homework, give them a bath, tuck them into bed and read them a story.  (To be fair to my wife, she often did the same, since I travelled frequently then).

So how did today compare? The girls buy lunch at school. I had no chance to see the neighbors since their kids either take the bus, or were being dropped off.   My kids wouldn't take fashion advice from me at gunpoint (that's actually a good thing).  I watched my old Camry with 180,000 miles on it being driven by a "girl" who is actually a young woman in the process of deciding her future college and maybe, career.  They have volleyball practice, and will get home late.  Dinner will be prepared, but they may eat quickly so as to get back on the computer to do homework (in between Facebook postings), all the while texting for advice on homework, sports, or boys.  Sigh...

Is there a way to plan for this transition (shocking for a transition planning guy to ask), or is like a fine wine, best learned by experience?  I guess I will drink it in and savor. 

*  Did you know that the word sophomore is derived from the Greek words for Wise and Fool? - think about it.

PS  I did pack snacks for them to eat after school prior to volleyball practice:)

______________________________________________________

Paul Cronin is a partner and Director of Business Development for STPI, the Successful Transition Planning Institute in Cambridge, MA.  He can be reached at www.successfultransitionplanning.com, or Twitter at pfpcronin

The Successful Transition Planning Institute of Cambridge, MA teaches Baby Boomers and their advisors how to avoid boring, meaningless retirements.  STPI's books, tools, training and seminars empower Baby Boomers to "Think", "Live" and "Decide" what to do with their companies and careers.  By doing so,  Baby Boomers create plans for dynamic new lives, full of meaning and purpose. (see video).