Am I ready for the back-to-school crazies? No, but do I have a choice?

There's something great about summer as a parent. No homework to check. No projects due the next day. No events that start in the middle of the day. Well, that may not be the case if they are in a rigorous summer camp. But summer generally offers parents of older kids a break.

This summer was quiet and laid back for us. Returning from work, I could actually unwind (OK, only when my work phone wasn't going crazy) and enjoy some time with the kiddies and get some me time. The only prodding that I had to do was summer reading — and cleaning their rooms, but that's a given.

This coming week will create havoc on my already way too full work-life schedule. There's class schedules to pick up, supplies to buy, and orientations to attend. At least I hope to attend them. I have an awful feeling I won't be there for them. School starts July 23.

I'm sooo not ready to give up the fabulousness of summer break.

In just a few days, our lives will be back to super crazy busy. I'm (bad mommy moment here) hoping there aren't too many extracurricular activities to mess up the evening schedule. As a working mom, soccer, band, theater or any other aspirations of the moment mean more shuttling and juggling for me. I wish the day could slow down once dinner is on the table, but that's when homework checks start. We never seem to finish before bed time (here's hoping it's 9:30 p.m., not 11:30 p.m. as it happened a few times last year).

I'm so tired by the time I hit the pillow. Usually I get little time for myself, and I feel blessed with 6 hours of sleep. I really need 8.

Yes, I know I chose to be a parent, and it's part of life but don't tell me that you don't wish there was such a thing as balance without sleep deprivation. A life that doesn't require a nanny (as if we could afford one) or enlisting the help (yes, sometimes begging) of some of your already super busy stay-at-home moms. You know we all ask them for favors to pick up and drop off kids.

I'll be weighing me time (required for keeping me sane) vs. sleep (required to make it through the day). I'd like both. But I won't get what I want. And that's such a bummer.