Hop Dad

Together Again

August 31, 2026 at 2:00 pm Leave a comment

I was caught by surprise when I glanced at the calendar a couple of weeks ago. School started much earlier this year than I expected. Typically, it’s the first Tuesday after Labor Day, right? No, it’s today. For the past week my email inbox has expanded thanks to a sudden rush of information and meeting notices, and it seems my phone is pinging every hour with the latest links and notifications about stuff that needs my attention. My credit card is smoking from paying sports fees and scholastic fees, and for new clothes and new sports equipment. Not to mention the requests from school programs and booster clubs for donations. I shake my head at the thought of what life would be like in this country if we chose to fully fund our public schools.

To my wonderful kids, I will say this school year is certainly different and not just because of that early start. It has been six years since you two were in the same school together. No more pinballing between campuses, across town for pick up and drop off. Also, no more need for school buses this year now that one of you is old enough to drive. This means I don’t need to wake up at too early of an hour to drive forty five minutes to drop someone off at a school. I am very happy for that, but also feeling the sting I feel when you kids get incrementally more independent. 

For you, my darling daughter: this is it, girl! You are a senior now, and I think this is going to be an outstanding year. You are excited to be at the top of the class again yet also feel sad that today is your “last first day”, as you put it. Now is the time to begin making serious plans for what you want to do after you graduate. I know that frightens you somewhat, but together we can make sure you get yourself headed in the right direction. You already have an idea of what you would like to do as a young adult and that puts you way ahead of most of your peers.

Volleyball will dominate your life for one more year. As one of three captains of the varsity volleyball team, you are in a position to inspire the next class of players. This will be a test of your leadership skills and I guarantee you it won’t be as easy. You can learn a lot from that role and it may well benefit you when you move beyond high school. Also, it’s time to get serious about putting your highlight reels out there for recruitment if you wanna play at the college level. You certainly have the talent for it!

As for you, my best boy, you’re big kid now. Your year will be busy learning the rules and customs of a new school. I have no doubt you will adjust quickly because you are a very social kid, and you easily make friends. Just keep your nose clean and pay attention to your grades. While you haven’t decided yet what you want to do with the rest of your adult life, having those good grades in your back pocket will open many doors. 

Fall baseball practices have already begun so finding the time to catch baseballs and also get homework done will be a challenge. Later this year you will have a chance to tryout for high school baseball, so I am already stuffing that season schedule to my bloated calendar.

Now that you are together again, in the same institution, I have one simple rule: when you are at school, you have each other’s backs. Bicker and argue and fight at home, if you must. But when the two of you are together in that space, you support each other.

So, here we go. The new clothes have been purchased. Your schedules are set. I’m sure I have missed something that needs to be paid for. Grab your backpacks, for you two must step into another year. This time, together again.

It’s time to go to school.

Entry filed under: Being Dad. Tags: Being Dad, Children, Dad, Family, Fatherhood, Kids, Life, love, Mom, Motherhood, Parenting, writing.