Dear Teachers,

I promise not to "tag out" this school year.

We've all seen the t-shirts and the memes that circulate each May and August -- the ones that reference this little game of "Tag...You're It" between educators and parents when it comes to the caring for, instructing, enlightening and rearing of rambunctious youngsters between the hours of 8 am to 3 pm, Monday through Friday.

And, while I'd be lying if I said that as a stay-at-home/work-from-home-mom I'm not looking forward to the semi-huge break that will be three kids in school every day by 8 am and with four hours to do with what I please

-- which will undoubtedly not involve BonBons and binge-watching my favorite shows, but more like laundry, cleaning, more laundry and more cleaning, and, okay, probably some writing --

I'm still not desiring or willing to leave my spot in the ring.

You see, me and my kid, we are a team.

And, you and me, Teach, well, we are too.

Altogether, the three of us, we are an unbeatable alliance.

And, when determined people work together, in the name of children, they can do anything.

Henry Ford is quoted as saying,

"Coming together is a beginning.

Keeping together is progress.

Working together is success."

So, here's what I think:

"Coming together" this Fall is going to require each of us to do our part.

I need you to welcome my child with open arms, listening ears, appropriate expectations, watchful, but non-judgmental eyes and room in your heart.

And, I promise to deliver you a child who is being loved well at home, one who consistently feels that he is being respected, heard, and supported, and one who feels secure in his attachments. A child who has caring parents at home who are working hard as hell to raise him to be kind, inclusive, respectful, curious, responsible, hardworking, and healthily persistent.

Now, "keeping together" throughout the year so that progress can be achieved, that will undoubtedly be a feat for all three of us.

You will be bogged down by the mental and physical load of teaching, which very closely rivals the mental load of motherhood.

He will feel the weight of knowledge on his shoulders, tugs at his hands by new friends and an always present pull at his heart in the direction of his mother.

I will likely feel overextended but continue to operate like an anxious, guilt-ridden, helicopter-esque nut who is sure to drive the both of you crazy with a barrage of questions and day-to-day information overload.

Still, I ask you to welcome my crazy and the equally quirky offspring it birthed.

Proper education is fine and dandy, but excellent education, that's what you're without a doubt going provide my child if I sign up to fight this fight alongside you.

I'm all in, and I checked with my kid, so is he.

We're pumped to be on your team.

Let the games begin.