So here we are—senior year. I can’t believe we’ve finally made it to this point. As excited as I am, there’s one thing we have to tackle before the real fun begins: school shopping. Every parent knows what I’m talking about. It’s like a yearly tradition, but this year? Oh, it feels different. This is the senior year shopping trip, and I’m feeling all the emotions—excitement, pride, and, yes, a little bit of “Can we get this over with already?”
We’re in the store, list in hand, ready to conquer the aisles like pros. I don’t know why, but there’s something about school supplies that gets me every time. Maybe it’s the fresh notebooks or the cute planners. But this time, my kid’s the one taking charge. They’ve got opinions—strong ones. And honestly, I love seeing it. It’s like a sneak peek of the adult they’re becoming, even if it means we’re going to have a “discussion” about every little thing we put in the cart.
First stop: planners. Now, I’m all for practicality—something simple and easy to use. But of course, my kid is drawn to the one with the bright colors, motivational quotes, and a pack of stickers. Stickers! I try to reason with them, talking about how we need something that’ll last all year. But no, the sticker-planner won. After all, I guess if it helps them stay organized, who am I to argue?
Then came the Great Backpack Debate of 2024. Let me tell you, I thought picking out a backpack was going to be the easy part. Wrong. My kid had their heart set on this trendy brand that was—no joke—almost the price of a weekend vacation. I tried suggesting something a little more budget-friendly, but let’s just say, compromise wasn’t on the table. After a little back and forth (and by “a little,” I mean we stood in the backpack section for what felt like hours), we found one that met in the middle. Stylish for them, budget-friendly for me. She's STILL trying to get one that's online that costs even more. To settle on this one ... I’ll take it as a win.
And speaking of budgets… can we talk about how everything costs twice as much now? I’m pretty sure we had a budget, but like every other year, we went over it. I guess some things never change. But hey, at least we stuck to the essentials—if you count extra pens, highlighters, and that trendy water bottle as essentials.
One thing I’ve learned through all these shopping trips is that it’s not just about what’s practical—it’s about what feels right to them. Sure, I could’ve bought the plain, no-frills notebook, but what’s the fun in that? Let them have their moment, right? Besides, we’re celebrating their senior year! This is their time to shine, even if it means I have to say “yes” to that glittery pencil case.
By the time we left the store, we were both exhausted but happy. The cart was full, my wallet was a little lighter, but my heart? Full. Seeing my kid light up over school supplies (even if they weren’t exactly my choices) reminded me that this is their year—the one they’ve been waiting for. And in some weird way, shopping for all this stuff makes it feel real.
I’ve been doing this school shopping thing for years, but this one hit differently. It’s not just about pens and backpacks—it’s about this final chapter in their high school journey. I can already see how much they’ve grown, and I know these little moments are ones I’ll look back on fondly when they’re off at college.
So, here we are—shopping done, supplies packed, and senior year officially in motion. Let’s do this!