Back to School, Back to Quiet… Sort Of

This week marks a big shift in our home. My daughter and son are heading into a new school year.
It’s been a great summer with them. We’ve had more time together than ever before, as I’ve stepped fully into my new role as a stay-at-home dad. There have been some incredible moments of laughter, adventure, and connection.

And then… there were the arguments.
Sometimes over big life questions like “Who ate the last of the cereal?” or “Whose turn is it to help Dad outside with the yard?” Other times, it was just the kind of sibling bickering that seems to happen simply because they share the same air.

I’ll be honest. I’m looking forward to the quiet.
But I’m also dreading it.

When the house is still, I know I’ll miss the sound of them. My plan is to use the time well:

• Continue preparing for our journey ahead

• Dive deeper into God’s Word

• Stay consistent at the gym

• Keep up with the housework

• Play more guitar

I know I won’t be able to do all of these things every single day, but I know I can do most of them, and that’s enough.

Before I started the stay-at-home dad thing, I really didn’t know what to expect. I mean, I used to come home from work, look at my wife, look around, and without thinking, ask, “So… what did you do today?”

Now I know.

Running a home is every bit as demanding as a 9-to-5 job. There’s no clock-out time, no commute to decompress, and no tidy to-do list that stays finished. I’ve since apologized to my wife for my past assumptions, and she has accepted it with the grace she always has. She has been such a blessing in my life, and honestly, I just try to be more like her every day.

Here’s to the start of a new school year. Here’s to a quieter house.
And here’s to learning new lessons, sometimes from the people we love most.

Grateful for the past season, excited for what’s ahead, and trusting God with every step in between.
Calen