Is Logistical Overwhelm Really A Thing?

What do you think?

Last week, my older son started kindergarten and my younger son started preschool. It was an immediate and rather shocking transition for me, but not because I was tearfully battling grief and nostalgia over my babies growing up. No, it was due to a new condition that I have dubbed “Logistical Overwhelm.”

For me, Logistical Overwhelm was prompted by the sheaf of papers the schools handed me, which included calendars showing the days the boys are off or have half days. I entered those dates into my paper calendar (yes, I still like a paper calendar; something about writing things down with a pen soothes me) and then I entered them into my electronic calendar, because having reminders to alert me of events is critical. Then I posted the calendars on the fridge and sent a pic to my husband.

Then I entered the days that my older son has after-school activities and the days he doesn’t. I emailed our babysitter to confirm her regular hours and to ask her if she could pick up extra hours on short days or holidays. On the advice of a friend, I scheduled doctor’s and dentist’s appointments on the holidays.

I considered the differential between the end of the preschool day and the end of the elementary-school day, how fast I can walk between the two schools, and if the younger child would nap better at school or in the stroller and if I should perhaps sign him up for an extended day. I noted which days they get lunch at school and which they don’t. I asked my husband about his work schedule and when he was available to run one or both kids to their flu shots, noted that on all calendars and emailed the dates to him.

Take a look at the rest of this article on Scary Mommy. When you're finished, leave us a comment and share whether or not you've suffered from Logistical Overwhelm?