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