For many parents, early August marked the return to school. But for this mom — with one kid in college and the rest grown — the day hits a little differently. It’s a little nostalgic, a little bittersweet.

Don’t get me wrong — I don’t actually miss the madness of back-to-school prep. The return of homework battles, the scramble for supplies, the shell shock from school expenses, or the inevitable parent-teacher conferences where you hear the words, “They’re very bright ... just easily distracted.”

Nope, not even a little.

But still ... there’s something. A twinge. A tug. Something I can’t quite name.

Because while I absolutely love this stage of parenthood — watching my kids become adults, having real conversations, seeing them chase their own dreams — I’d be lying if I said I didn’t miss a few things.

Like those little kid hugs.

The giggles.

The way their eyes would light up when they told me something important.

Even the way they looked while they slept — yes, I was that mom who’d sneak in, stare for a bit, then take a picture because, let’s face it, sleeping kids are peak adorableness. (My daughter now calls this “cringe.” I wear that badge proudly.)

And every time I see parents post their “last first day” pictures, it hits me right in the feels. Senior year is such a ride — exciting for the kid, nerve-wracking for the parent. You’re juggling various deadlines and emotional whiplash, torn between wanting to freeze time and being excited for their launch into the world.

It’s a weird, beautiful limbo.

So now, I scroll through all those first-day photos — the chalkboard signs, the fresh haircuts, the nervous smiles — and I smile. Because I remember. And I’m rooting for you.

If you’re in the thick of it, my only advice is this:

Savor every single minute.

Even the hard ones.

Especially the chaotic ones.

Because one day, your house will be quiet, your mornings calm, and your back-to-school routine will be reduced to memory. And you’ll miss it — not all of it, but enough to feel that little tug in your chest when August rolls around.

Trust me.

Kim Van Meter is a former full-time reporter for The Oakdale Leader, The Escalon Times and The Riverbank News; she continues to provide a monthly column. She can be reached at kvanmeter@oakdaleleader.com.