I'm not a Mom (Yet), but...

It's back to school season.

If you haven't noticed, your local stores are filling up with pencils, papers, and all the other school supplies found on lists provided by the schools. Retail stores are starting to switch out summer styles and phase in fall ones, all the while advertising GREAT deals (and I work in retail, so believe me I know!)

For the school-age households, that means school shopping.

I remember going on annual school shopping trips with my family to some destination and going through the process of trying on seemingly endless outfits. Ushered by my mother, the main goal was to make sure we had the basics: outfits for school, one pair of black or white sneakers, a bookbag, and our school supplies.

Some people complain about having to do any school shopping for their kids. And yet, I find myself anxiously craving that same stress. Is that crazy?

In a couple weeks, social media platforms will be flooded with all the first-day pictures as parents sift through a myriad of emotions - relief, sadness, and joy. Some parents will be making sure their kids’ lunches are packed while other kids will be learning how to make their own. Parents will also be helping their kids deal with any worries they may be having about the upcoming school year. Some kids have already been training for sports or band camp.

I can't help but feel left out. I have no pictures to take, lunches to pack, or clothes to lay out. There will be no after-school or weekend playdates. Not yet.

I hate hearing that question: raise your hand if you have children. It's meant to be inclusive, but it feels exclusionary, sometimes targeting.

For now, I'll try my hardest to stay in a bubble. If that is in any way possible. But that feeling of longing grows with each passing day.