The 40s, 4 Kids, and the Back-to-School Chaos

So, how are my fellow millennial parents doing? After a few weeks of sending our Alpha kids to school, I only have two words: GILA PENAT.

Serious, I am so exhausted. Running here and there to buy books, paying fees, hunting for school uniforms, and all that stuff. Thank God I settled the shoes and socks before the holidays started—at least that’s one headache out of the way.

Honestly, we are entering the 2nd week and I haven’t even had time to wrap the books or write the kids' names properly. I’m just doing it bit by bit mana yang sempat. Eventually, it’ll get done, right? Anyway, the kids look so busy with school—early year already got sports practice, sukantara, merentas desa... you name it.

Alhamdulillah, everything is going well so far. Adam is now Form 1, Iman Standard 6, Fateh Standard 4, and Yusuf Standard 2. I asked them to rate their school (just to see if they are happy #iykyk), and they all gave an 8/10. So okaylah, pass! Oh, and all of them got selected as class monitors and prefects again. Proud, but I probably need to buy bigger vests for them soon.

I already bought those sturdy shelves for them to organize their books. It’s been sitting there for 3-4 days, but I just don't have the energy to "order" them to fix it. When I reach home lately, I’m just too tired. I can’t even bring myself to cook, so we’ve just been tapau-ing dinner every night.

One more thing—Fateh’s bag. Because he goes straight from SK to Sekolah Agama until 4 PM, he has to carry everything. After SK, he quickly changes his uniform and goes straight to SA with all his books. The SK books alone are so heavy. Kesian him. We really need to find a trolley bag for him, fast.

Health-wise, I haven’t been feeling 100% since November. On and off, making me feel so lethargic. Between the kids starting school, managing the whole house system, and going to work... penatnya hidup ni. I feel like I cannot juggle all these responsibilities anymore. Honestly? I’m on the verge of breaking down.

But I choose to be grateful. Sometimes I feel like nobody else is doing what I do—juggling 5 kids as a working single parent with zero help. Even when I’m sick, I still have to settle the meals and the kids' stuff. I’m literally doing this alone.

So, bertabahlah Suzlin. In my 20s and 30s, I could do everything. But now reaching 40, I’m really feeling the limit. But I cannot afford to break down. Just pray for me and my kids, okay?