An Irish mum wrote a poem about sending the kids back to school this year – and it captures it perfectly

This week marked back to school for thousands of children and teenagers all across Ireland.

And just like normal years, the days before school went back were filled with excitement, tinged with a little nostalgia that summer has come to an end, and normality is about to commence once more. However, this year is not like other years. Not like any other year any of us have ever had. This year, our children are going to school – or going back to school – in a world that looks and feels anything but normal. Where we don't really know what to expect or what will happen. But we send them back – knowing they need it – and have longed for friends, familiarity and actual teachers. Packing those school bags for the first time any new school year always tugs a little on our hearts, and this year, especially so. And so when I came across this poem that Irish mum Aoife Driver had written, it seemed to sum up so perfectly how we all felt this week: Her text in full: 'Twas the night before school When all through the house Not a creature was stirring except for this spouse! Schoolbags sat by the front door with care She had bathed the kids and blow-dried their hair Lunches were made and shoes had been shined "I hope they don't catch it" raced through her mind

The children were sleeping fast in their beds With dreams of reunions with all their friends Where classes are bubbles and tables are pods Their safety in the hands of the "government gods" When down in the kitchen arose such a clatter, Husband ran down to see what was the matter. Away to the kitchen he flew like a light His wife sat crying at the table he knew something not right "I want them to go but I want them to stay I want this bloody virus to just go away" ? For the first time in months her bubble had burst She thought she'd feel happier but now she feels worse The 'what-ifs' were racing around in her mind Her husband hugged her and tried to be kind We've waited for this day for schools to reopen But the mixture of change and fear had her quite frozen She feigned a smile and sipped on her tea And persuaded herself "I'll have more time for me" But six months have passed The country none the wiser Schoolbags now packed with masks and hand sanitizer But this is a good thing, for schools to reopen The children deserve it, its what they've been hoping Children of Ireland have shown such resilience Positive attitude and absolute brilliance! You might feel nervous or perhaps feel okay To release your babies back to school today But whatever you feel know it's not for forever We'll get through this and we'll get through together ❤