Moms Talk: The First Day of School

Each week our Moms Council discusses a different parenting issue. Join the conversation by weighing in on a topic or ask our panel of experts your question.

We put this week's question to our Potomac Patch for their ideas and advice. The suggestions don’t end here‚ add your own tips and advice in the comments section below.

This week's question comes from , a reader and North Potomac-Darnestown Moms Council member.

A friend of mine holds a gathering the first day of school for the moms in her neighborhood. She sets up one room with pom poms, noise makers and other things we use to celebrate occasions. She sets up another room with tissues and sentimental childhood things. She calls it her "Cheers and Tears Party." What will you be doing the first day of school? Cheering? Or Tearing?

: I’ll just feel a sense of accomplishment if I can get all the forms filled out; remember to send them with my kid; figure out the bus schedule; convince everyone that spending 18 months in a holding school is a reasonable price to be paid for a new school (it definitely is, but not everyone in my family is convinced yet); make it to the bus on time; remember to pack a lunch; and find a way for my 50-pound kid to lug another 50 pounds worth of school supplies (i.e., Clorox wipes, sandwich bags, tissues, hand cleaner, composition books, and myriad pencils, glue sticks, markers, crayons etc.) with her and make it there in one piece.

I will be definitely be cheering if we get all that done and she comes home from the first day with a smile on her face, and my sanity is still intact. I’m up for a challenge and I’m feeling optimistic. Check back on the 29^th.

: I will be cheering—and stressing. As a mom who works full time outside the home, I am excited for the school year to begin so I have child care and stimulation for my kids (summer can be hard for working moms). However, I am bracing myself for the more hectic weekday evenings headed our way that start in September: homework, sports practices and the need to get to bed earlier means less time to enjoy the nights.