Your cart is currently empty!
Why Unplanned Summers Can Be a Nightmare
Ah, the allure of summer! Late mornings, neighborhood strolls, catching frogs, nature hikes, endless Lego masterpieces, arts and crafts, pool days, and baking treats from scratch. Sounds like the perfect, carefree summer, right? Well, that might be true for the kiddos, but for us parents? Not so much.
As a mostly stay-at-home mom, the thought of two months of unstructured time with my three kids sounds anything but idyllic. For them, “relaxing” often means I’m running around like a headless chicken. They never wake up or sleep at the same time, and their food choices? Well, let’s just say they only occasionally align when they all suddenly want shell-shaped mac ‘n cheese.
Each child has their own interpretation of what “unstructured” means. One wants to lounge at home, another is eager to hit the zoo, while the youngest dreams of visiting an amusement park. Coordinating these plans is like herding cats and usually ends with someone in tears. When we stay home, bickering ensues until one disappears to play Minecraft, another kicks a ball around outside, and the third insists on a game of “Mermaid Princess Goes to the Undersea Grocery Store,” which, by the way, requires me to don a tiara and know that seahorses eat seaweed pancakes for breakfast.
To give my kids a nostalgic summer experience, I’m on call constantly—cooking, mediating, or driving them around. Honestly, even if they managed to relax for a week, I wouldn’t know how to handle that level of unscheduled time. I thrive on routine during the school year, with a structured flow that keeps me sane amidst the chaos of meals, carpools, and random meltdowns. A random day off from school can send me into a panic about how to fill the time, so you can imagine my dread at the thought of an entire summer without a plan.
That’s precisely why my kids are enrolled in camp all summer long. Well, except for the two weeks we take a family vacation. This year, my two older girls will be off to sleepaway camp for a month, while the youngest will enjoy her preschool’s summer program—yup, totally unstructured, just as the kids like it. When they return, we have a week before vacation, with one in soccer camp and the other in tennis, plus more preschool fun for the little one. After our trip, there are a few weeks left of summer, filled with options like a two-week camp with daily excursions to places I can’t handle (think amusement and water parks), sports camps, and swim lessons. And of course, more preschool camp for the youngest.
I do love my kids, I really do. But managing three unique personalities without a plan all summer? No thanks. I’ll admit I relish having some me-time, and without camps, that’s a luxury I simply can’t afford. But here’s the kicker: my kids genuinely enjoy camp. They get to develop their sports skills, bond with friends, and try out new activities like rock climbing and surfing.
And for the record, I won’t be lounging around with a cocktail while they’re at camp. The little one finishes her “camp” each day at 1 p.m., and I’ve already scheduled some one-on-one time with my older girls, plus a few group outings to show them I care (hello, Disneyland!). Because I do love spending time with them—just not every single moment of the summer.
For more on how to navigate the complexities of family life and home insemination, check out this post on intracervicalinsemination.com. If you’re curious about the best options for artificial insemination, Make a Mom is a great resource. Additionally, for more information about fertility, Medical News Today offers excellent insights.
In summary, while the idea of a carefree summer sounds lovely, the reality for parents can be quite different. Planning ahead with camps allows for a balance of fun for the kids and necessary downtime for parents, ensuring everyone enjoys the season in their own way.