This document summarizes opinions from several mothers about what they dread and love about the start of the school year. They discuss issues like illnesses kids bring home, homework struggles, separation anxiety, early bedtimes, packing lunches, and the social aspects of school. One mother loves ordering supplies online at once through the school. Another dreads screen time in the mornings but loves having a strong routine for her kids in the morning before school.

1. PARE NTS 80 SEPTE M BER 2016
section •story slug
DREADS “Keeping on
top of things. My
daughter once tried to
sign my name to a form
I’d completely forgotten
to sign. Oops!”
LOVES “It’s a very social
time. It’s not just kids who
are meeting people.
Finding “the friend” for
you is a big deal and
can be a huge help. The
friend who can locate
a missing assignment,
remind you about a
birthday party, or help
out when you’re stuck in
traffic at pickup time.”
➝ Suzanne Chan
with Lucas, 3; Ava, 9;
and Marcus, 6
Nurse, and blogger at
MomConfessionals.com
Busy moms spill what
they look forward to
(and what they
loathe) about this
time of year.
let’s get
real
photographs by MELANIE ACEVEDO

2. school •special
S EP T EM B ER 2 01 6 81 PA R EN T S
➜ Rachel Howell
with Quimby, 7
Stay-at-home mom of
Quimby as well as
Bijoux, 2, and Zara,
8 months
DREADS “Taming
screen use!
Starting in the fall
we get rid of the
iPad and
electronics at
home in the
morning. It’s just
too distracting.”
LOVES “Ordering all the
supplies we need online at
once, through the school.”

3. PARE NTS 82 SEPTE M BER 2016
section •story slug
➜ Svetlana Griaznova-
Acquista
with Alessandra, 9, and twins
Salvatore (left) and Nicholas, 6
Model
DREADS “The illnesses!
My kids start catching
stuff when they go back
to school and pass it
from one to the other.”
LOVES “Having time for yoga and
exercise. I slack off in the summer,
but getting back to that when they’re
in school helps keep me focused.”
➝ Stephanie Cavalli
with Santiago, 8
Also mom of Lou, 2.
Model and antiques dealer
DREADS “Homework! It means a
return to having to be on him about
it, because he doesn’t like it. I have
to harass him to do it.”
LOVES “Having a strong
routine. It’s always
the same thing, same
time: Get up, dress, eat
breakfast, brush your
teeth. My kids know that
you don’t get breakfast
until you get dressed.”

4. school •special
➜ Sai Da Silva
with London, 5
Creative director and
founder of the blog
Scout the City
DREADS “The separation,
for me too! London and I
do so much together that
it’s a huge adjustment.”
LOVES “Not
packing a lunch.
Her new school
provides a
hot meal every
day. The lunch
struggle is real!”
“! can’t wait
to ride
the bus to
school!”
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ONLUCAS:SHIRT,OLDNAVY.PANTS,KIRAKIDS.VEST,OLDNAVY.ONAVA:DRESS,TOOBYDOO.TIGHTS,CATANDJACK.ONMARCUS:SHIRT,BONPOINT.JEANS,OLDNAVY.BACKPACK,BONPOINT.ONRACHEL:SHIRT,SPLENDID.ONQUIMBY:SHIRT,NUNUNU.PANTS,BONPOINT.

5. PARE NTS 84 SEPTE M BER 2016
school •special
“I do not like
naptime.
I don’t like to
be quiet.”
➜ Amri Kibbler
with Mari, 5
Also mom of River,
9 months (see her on our
cover!). Cofounder of
HeyMama, an online
community for
entrepreneurial moms
DREADS “Trying to get
to bed early again, and
school starts half an
hour earlier this year.
Yikes! Also, the baby
poops the moment
I’m about to walk out
the door.”
LOVES “Shopping
is my jam. I love
picking out
the backpack
with Mari, getting
the new lunch
box, and putting
together the
outfits and
accessorizing.”
PREVIOUSSPREAD,ONSTEPHANIE:DRESS,UNIQLO.VEST,GAP.ONSANTIAGO:SHIRTS,CATANDJACK.JEANS,GAP.ONSVETLANA:JACKET,MERONA,AVAILABLEATTARGET.COM.
ONSALVATORE:PANTS,BONPOINT.ONALESSANDRA:TOP,MAINIO.PANTS,BONPOINT.SHOES,GOLDENGOOSEXBONPOINT.ONNICHOLAS:TOPANDPANTS,BONPOINT.SWEATSHIRT,YPORQUE.
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