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Life in the fast lane: schedules, teenagers, broken cars

I am now a mom of an almost University-bound kid. My oldest is in grade 12 and is contemplating whether he wants to pursue higher education at this time.

He’s not sure what to do, which direction to take, and keenly feels the effects of the long lockdown years. Cooped up months after months without possibility to pursue interests has caused detrimental damage to so many kids in this province. I know this because I come across it weekly, every time I chat with another family in my orbit. Be it at a rink, at a store, in a coffee shop, at the hair salon…

Many, dare I say most boys in our orbit (his friends, his hockey team) are in a similar boat with indecision. The ones with birthdays later in the year (September to December) only just turned 17…. It’s quite challenging for these young students to be launched into all this life decision-making process after having spent most of their highschool years locked into their homes, especially because the application deadlines are approaching fast.

My son and his cohort spent the second half of grade 9 right through half of grade 11 in severely restricted capacities. That’s right in the prime of their highschool life.

Anyway, I have returned temporarily to the family house in the city for this and a couple of other reasons, but primarily to keep an eye on the boy’s progress with his application process.

The deadline is coming up this month.

While all this is going on, I remain car-less. The only way to get around is to share cars, either the one here or sometimes my mom’s.

My old, 20-year-old car has been in the shop for weeks waiting for a part. One came, it didn’t fit, another was due yesterday but as of late afternoon had not arrived.

This province is still struggling post-pandemic effects with supply, demand and labour. It’s been difficul and a pain in the ass.

Meanwhile…

I need wheels tonight to do an airport pickup – my niece and her friend are arriving from the west coast to return to University. I offered to do the driving because the city house is closer to the airport than my mom’s suburban house, which is probably a relief for grandma. The airport in Toronto is of course in a constant state of chaos what with staff issues and weather-related delays, and although mom offered to go I suggested it might turn into a late night if the luggage situation continues to be a problem in the arrival hall.

“I’ll bring them,” I told mom.

“I’ll cook them gnocchi,” she said, relieved. 🍝

So, once I have the girls, I’ll take them to mom’s and then spend the night there, as well. I won’t be staying through the weekend though because my kids are double-booked with their respective sports on Saturday. If by then we still only have the one car, I’ll be donning my chauffeur hat to drive everyone to all the rinks and then do the pickups after.

Luckily, my mom can take the University girls back to campus on Saturday, saving me a trip to Guelph.

There are days like this when I think back to the very hectic toddler and preschool years and how frazzled and exhausted I was then. I shake my head now – those were mostly challenging because of sleep deprivation, not really so much because of complicated scheduling. Comparing that time to all the intricate details one must keep an eye on when one has teenagers is a whole other ballgame. I’m not sleep deprived now, but rather emotionally and mentally overwhelmed. There are so many moving parts…

We will get through this. I will get my routine back, and eventually return to my room with a door. I look forward to that day coming, but for now, I will focus on staying calm and beating back the frazzled feeling with a hockey stick when it rears its ugly head. 🏒😀

That’s how my post-Christmas time is going for me. What up in your neck of the woods?

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41 thoughts on “Life in the fast lane: schedules, teenagers, broken cars”

  2. I feel like I just got lucky when it came to making decisions regarding higher education all those years ago. I’m also an indecisive mess, I never set anything up for myself at the time, still had no idea mere weeks prior to having to make a decision, but I ended up falling into a Film & TV course just because I enjoyed dabbling with video editing on my own. Best decision I ever made honestly. There’s nothing to worry about in that regard. I believe things will fall into place!

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    1. Thank you Dalen for sharing this, I sometimes forget that this is what happens in youth. 😉

      I think with the world open in front of you there are so many opportunities to explore, and you were right to pick something you enjoy, which ended up working out for you. I tell my son he can change his mind as needed, if he discovers something he likes that will detour his path, he should consider it. It’s much easier making a living with something you enjoy doing. 🙂

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  3. Oh wow. I haven’t read ur posts in a while. Seems pretty hectic but you are doing great. Me, I don’t know how I am. Going with the motions I guess.

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    1. Different regions had different reactions and restrictions, but most people have had significant changes happen in their lives. One way to look at it, I guess, is that everyone is familiar with the pandemic’s repercussions on some level. Nobody was really spared.

      Thank you Teresa for reading, as always. 😊

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  7. Hi Claudette,
    Unfortunately the kids, and even us adults, will feel the effects of the pandemic for years to come.
    You have a lot going on, I hope you can get your car back real soon so it all can ease up a little.
    And no matter what, enjoy the moment, it goes by too fast.
    Many blessings to you in 2023!

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  8. I think the older you get, the still more moving parts there are involving your health, mental and physical and of course, all the changes. I feel for your son as Covid did take away some of the life itself. Best wishes.

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  11. In a way, I was “lucky” my ex walked out on us (emotionally and financially disengaging even before he physically left), so my girls were quite aware they’d have to focus on education and create a way to support themselves, which they did brilliantly. Others, with more money, sometimes feel they can slack off through their 20s because their parents will still support them. It’s tough to draw a line when you don’t have to…

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    1. My son is learning quickly that he won’t be getting any freebies from us because a) it’s all in hockey 😂 and b) there isn’t any when you have a house with a mortgage. 😀

      I had all the support I needed as a teen/Uni student except financially and I made it anyway. He’ll figure it out. Actually, he’s eyeing my Alma Mater which would be very cool. My niece is also there already. Could be an interesting year for us next year, if he ends up there…

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  12. You pegged it Claudette. There is always some type and level of chaos with kids who are activity tied. Make your mantra “this WILL all end some day” because it will, to be replaced I hope by slightly less chaos and bigger chunks of quiet and time.

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  14. You have a lot on your plate. I feel your pain. Our youngest son graduated high school last year and is now in college. We’ve gone from having a schedule like yours to now being empty nesters. It’s a strange feeling, running everywhere, facing car challenges, and then just like that, having a much more relaxed schedule. I’m not complaining, it’s just different. Hang in there too with your son. He’ll make a decision. At least that’s what I learned watching my kids. It might not have been on my schedule, but it will come!

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    1. Yes, I get it. The empty nest is looming but I’m not sure I’m ready, which is a contradiction to what I just wrote in my post. 😀 My daughter is in grade 10 so we still have a ways to go before the nest is empty.

      Thank you for reading and commenting, Brian.

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