Changes in Store

Changes in store

By Allan Olson
Every day is different around my house – with raising four kids (or any kids) challenges abound. Whether it’s challenges with your own self learning to keep your cool during times of frustration or simply learning how to handle the different attitudes of young children.

This past weekend, as we started our back-to-school shopping, the three kids were excited to get some new supplies.

Nikolai, being the oldest, is used to this and thought he knew what needed to be purchased. We kept referring to the list and, while we were distracted filling the list for the twins, he added some stuff he “thought” was needed.

Thankfully, someone (not me) was awake at the checkout counter and caught the extra and unnecessary items before the clerk rang them up.

The week previous we had scouted out the supplies and grabbed a list, but only the boys had had a copy as we headed into the checkout lane with our purchases, Abigail was visibly upset that her brothers each had a list but she didn’t.

It really shouldn’t be a big deal. Especially since she couldn’t read the list. However, since Marcus couldn’t read his either, I decided to play the hero and we ran and grabbed her a supplies list as well. I think I read the list three times before I left the store.

So, here we sit. Only about a month out until school starts. This year, we will go from one child in school to three, and – most noticeably – change from four children at home all summer long to only one.

Truthfully, I’m not sure how I’m going to handle having two more kids in school.

With Nikolai, I was especially paranoid about sending him on the bus, since they have no seatbelts. His mom tried to convince me he would be okay ... and, yes, she was right). I remember the day we sent him off to kindergarten. He was excited. Dad and mom were nervous.

Now three years later, we have to send two more children off to school. Is that going to be three times as hard or will it be okay? As much as they like to fight, at least big brother Nikolai will be there to watch the twins. However, with our recent move, we decided to enroll them in a new school – here at CL-B. So will this be a challenge for him as well?

Once again, this is a whole new world for us as parents. Admittedly, I have a harder time with change.

I’m sure that this change will be one that is good for the kids as they expand their knowledge base. Although that usually leads to more incessant questions, which can be another source of frustrations. Especially since those questions usually pop up at the oddest times.

Aside from dealing with school supplies, we spent all day Saturday together as a family. We managed the shopping trip and a trip to Crazy Days. Walking downtown with four young children was yet another brave challenge.

On the positive side though, it went very well. Throughout the day we ventured into stores mostly window shopping and also took in a small meal. This proves that we can take our children out in public and they don’t always behave like ruffians.

Of course that means that they’re growing older and learning to behave ... which in turn could force more public outings upon us.

So, if they are growing older does that mean I am too? Perhaps that’s why bike riding with two young boys on Friday around Cass Lake left me sore? Well, that’s likely one reason. I’ll let you form your own opinion as to the other reasons.

Thanks for reading! Remember, we appreciate your feedback so feel free to drop us a line at cltimes1@arvig.net. For more of my columns please visit my blog at: http://allan-crazykids.blogspot.com.