The first day of school was this week and as a parent of two children who attend local schools, I’ve been in that mad rush of getting last-minute school supplies and that includes the always-elusive folder in an odd color that also has brads and pockets.

Additionally, like many other parents out there, I’ve stayed busy making sure each of my kids have uniform pants or shorts that fit, squeezing in their medical and dental check-ups, washing and folding their new school spirit shirts, thinking about new options for school lunches, getting haircuts for both, and on and on.

So, it got me to thinking about what life was like when I was in school.

Well, it was different than today and that’s an understatement.

Basically, we got a few school supplies and went to school. I don’t remember it being a huge production of preparing for the first day of school like we do today.

There was no first-day-of-school photo. It was pre-Facebook, so there was no posting about the big build-up to the first day followed by later commentary on how the actual day went. I do have a sweet memory of my mom getting me ready for my first day of first grade, though, and curling my long hair into ringlets.

Oh, and lunches? With five kids in the family, it was either eat school lunches or not eat at all. I remember school lunches actually being pretty good.

When I told my daughter this the other day she gave me a shocked look, hugged me, and said, “I’m sorry you didn’t get to bring your lunch to school in a cute lunchbox.”

It’s all about the lunchbox. And the backpack, thermos, tennis shoes, socks, headbands, and bows. Well, you get the idea. There’s a lot of stuff to choose from these days and even though my kids don’t get all of it, they get the essentials along with a few fun things too.

Did you know that you can get a monogram on just about anything these days?

My daughter got her backpack monogrammed. Lunchboxes can be monogrammed. So can thermoses. And shirts of course. Shoes can have monograms. You can get a necklace with a monogram.

I guess you could probably get a monogram on your forehead if you were so inclined.

As a parent of a child in elementary school and another in middle school, I have learned that for girls, when it comes to getting ready for back-to-school, the perfect hair accessories are vital and for boys, the right tennis shoes and socks are key.

While doing back-to-school shopping with my kids, I held up a package of socks to show my son and the look of horror on his face was priceless. “Mom, I know you’re not serious,” he said. “I would rather wear no socks than wear those awful things.” As in, since they weren’t the brand he liked, he didn’t want them.

Regardless of the stress that comes for all parents of school-aged kids at this time of year, I think it’s going to be a fantastic 2017-18 school year.

So, make sure you have everything your children need in the way of school supplies, prepare for a productive year, have fun, and be safe.

And, last but not least, don’t forget the monograms.

l

Lisa Addison is the court reporter at the American Press. Reach her by phone at 337-494-4089 or by email at laddison@americanpress.com.