Parent Discussion Topic: Re-entry

We spent the weekend in St. Louis.  Hubby had a conference, and the kids and I played tourist.  We visited the Arch and its museum, we went to the Magic House, which is a huge children's museum, and enjoyed the Science Center.  We swam and ate out and they got to watch cable (way too much Disney Channel was viewed by all, but hey, it was vacation).

Then we came home and Re-Entry began.  Don't tell me you haven't experienced Re-Entry because I know you have.  It's the time when you re-enter your normal lives after a trip and everyone is somehow out of sorts.  Nobody is completely happy and no one wants to get up in the morning to go back to school or work.  Everyone is crabby and ready to fuss and fight and yell at the next person to speak to them.  Our out of whack sleep schedules have caught up with us and we all realize that there is no brand new adventure around the corner.  Also mom and dad aren't going to let the kids have any more unlimited screen time and gee that's enough to make even the most level headed kid explode. 

Ah yes, Re-Entry.  It's almost enough to make a sane parent never want to take another trip.  It is a rough time that in our house can take almost as long as the trip we took just to get through.  And while I find it a peculiar parenting challenge, I also find that when I acknowledge what is really going on and why, it is one I find a way to dig up enough patience for.  That doesn't mean that on our first night back I'm not as quick to argue and fuss as they are -- hours in the car traveling home makes me cranky too.  However, the next day I'm fine, and when I stop to consider what is really going on with my kids, I can grasp on to that little bit of understanding they need.

Yes, they want to argue.  Yes, they want to push the boundaries of our at home rules.  Yes, they want to find a way to push my buttons, and their sister's buttons and well every one else's buttons because for some reason their own buttons have been pushed.  And yes, they often succeed in getting a rise out of their intended target.  But I think at the heart of it, they also know what's going on.  They may not have the words for it, they may not even know that they know, but I think some part of them does.  And it's almost as if what they really want isn't an argument, but a hug.

Ah yes, Re-Entry.  It is a struggle.  And I do not enjoy it.  But if I'm willing, I can look at it as an opportunity as much as a challenge.  An opportunity to reaffirm our family's goals, our desire to treat each other the way we want to be treated, a chance to bond even in the face of agitated bristled-back cat like behavior.  Hmmm...maybe the trip was worth it after all.