Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Just call me a Communist

Here's the deal. I hate Labor Day. For those not living under the stars and stripes, Labor Day is an American holiday to celebrate the American worker. So yeah, we are celebrating the fact that we do indeed work in the country with, what else,  a day off of work. Unlike those other countries like China and Germany that sit on their butts all day doing nothing I suppose.

Growing up Labor Day meant the end of summer--the beginning of school, last cook out of the summer and the beginning of crisp, cool nights. Now school starts before Labor Day. The new clothes are usually more 'summer wear'; no one is donning the 'fall' type purple jackets or moss green long sleeved tees on the first day anymore. And the start of school is the real end of summer--ask a kid.

But that is not my biggest issue. My issue is the fact that we work so hard to get kids on the 'back to school' schedule and then 'surprise!' it's a long weekend and you can sleep in like it's summer...again. And then you get to fight to get back into the early night/early morning sleep routine. Cranky kids and an extra day home. Oh joy!

Now if we could go back to starting school after Labor Day, I'd have no problem with the holiday. There would be real symbolism. I'd enjoy the end of summer feel it would bring. But when Labor Day is after summer has been history for a week or so--well this day is just a plain ol' pain in the butt. 

So yeah--I hate this American holiday even if it was originally created to celebrate the American Unions--tell me to go to Russia. Oh and by the way, I think baseball is boring and I make my apple pies with Fuji apples and sliced ginger. 




23 comments:

Amanda said...

Over here there is hardly a month goes by without a long weekend break from the school!
And that apple pie sounds really good!!
l,
Amanda x

mah-meeee said...

wow... i guess dealing with 4 kids and their sleep schedule for school is no fun.

i do agree on the whole starting school after labor day. school practically just started last week and we have now a short week. totally screws up the routine for sure!

fuji apples and ginger? can you ship some over??? i'm drooling over here!

hang in there!

JCK said...

OK, I want that recipe!

I hear you! Schools start at all different times around here. But, it does seem odd to start before Labor Day.

Melissa said...

ha ha haa! Love the insight! I never thought of it like that, but what can I say... I still love a paid time off from my husband's job ;)

Jacque said...

I totally agree that school should start after Labor Day, just like it used to.

Tyne said...

I am with you, it was a lame weekend for us too. My husband had to work on Saturday and Monday- so it was just a long three day weekend with no back up!

Unknown said...

ummmmm.... apple pie.... yummy...

I hear you sister, even though I don't have kids in regular school yet, I'm sure that only makes the adjustment harder. I think you should be mad at the school district!

Grace Acres said...

Our schools wait to start till after labor day, sorry it doesn't work that way for you. Hope the transition goes smoothly.

The Nice One said...

I sorta needed Labor Day this year. That first week was HARD.
But yea, in general I'm not a fan of long weekends!
Thanks for visitin' my blog today :)

OHmommy said...

I know. You send them to school for a couple of days and then... look you have a day off.

Gretchen said...

Whoa your kids slept in on Labor day? Mine were up at the crack of dawn ready to watch the "Martha Speaks" marathon on PBS. And watch it they did, while "MOmmy Sleeps".

Anonymous said...

I haven't had to hate it for this reason yet. I'm sorry, L!

Laural Out Loud said...

I am so annoyed that the back to school the day after Labor Day tradition has been broken. It is just so wrong.

Momo Fali said...

I agree!! School should start after Labor Day. Period.

Lizz @ Yes, and So is My Heart said...

Oh, that was funny. It would be so much easier if school was out EVERYWHERE from Memorial Day through September. Guess people don't like keeping things simple.

KC said...

LOL..
but I have to agree with you.. I never started school before Labor day normally it was the day after Labor day or the next day.. I HATE that my kids have to start school a week before hand then get a day off school so soon.. seems silly..
This is the 1st year my kids had a full week before Labor day.. in the pas they would go to school 3 days then have the long weekend.. which seemed even sillier it was like why bother at all. but since we went over on our snow days last year and had to extend school to go past when it should have been out, they thought they would start ealier this year.

Anonymous said...

That was funny. You know, some states have a law that doesn't allow schools to start before Sept. 1. It is meant to protect family time. Yay!

Brian and Staci said...

You rebel you! Making your apple pies with fuji apples :) You are too cute! I'm with you...just start school AFTER Labor Day! And now...I want to bake an apple pie :)

Anonymous said...

Well, in my school district the kids don't start till after Labor Day. But we are the exception. Every other district around here starts before Labor Day.

When I was little we never started till September. I'm not sure why they changed it other than so kids could get out of school earlier in June?

I don't have kids in "regular" school yet, but I can totally see where you're coming from. That's gotta stink! Ship those kids baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack to school, I say. :)

Looks like no Beanie for tomorrow's game, but probably for USC. Crossing my fingers, praying, and thinking "happy thoughts..." GO BUCKS! :o)

andreagw said...

Yummy pie, I got stuck on pie. That sounds so good!! :) I am a fellow Buckeye too even though I am in Idaho. Go Bucks!!

Carol said...

Very inofrmative Lisa, I had been wondering the history of labor day (though we'd say labour of course).

We have a holiday the last Monday of August too and it is thoroughly dpressing because the next holiday is christmas.

So really the august holiday is saying hear have a day off because its a long 3 months til christmas! Hahaha!

I hate the august holiday.

EatPlayLove said...

I'm nostalgic for the labor day start of school myself. And, labor day is just half of it, I don't think my Sj has a full week of school the entire month of september, next week, 2 days off for testing! Following week teacher in service..

Purple Teacup said...

Ditto!