Hey there, kiddo! Sorry to break the news, but your parent has officially lost it. When it comes to your summer plans, they’ve turned into a hyperactive planner, determined to fill every second of your break with activities that supposedly help you grow and thrive.
Summer camps, music lessons, swimming classes—you name it, your day will be packed from sunrise to sunset with structured events. And guess what? It doesn’t matter if you’re not even in middle school yet. It’s time to get on board with this summer “fun” agenda.
Forget about building forts or just hanging out—no way! You’ll be stuck in robotics camp or taking viola lessons, whether you want to or not. (And yes, I get it, remembering your home phone number is a challenge, but tough luck!)
If you’re among the fortunate few, maybe your parent will carve out an hour or two of “free play”—which is pretty ironic since they’ve scheduled it. Here’s the scoop on your well-meaning, but overly involved parent: they can’t help themselves. Every minute of your life is going to be about helping you get ahead—because they were raised by someone just like them. We get it, and honestly, it’s exhausting.
So, what can you do to survive this summer? Here are five surefire ways to ruin it:
- Make Every Moment a Lesson. If you’re the type of parent who follows your kid around the playground, narrating their every action and interrupting their playtime to “enhance their understanding,” just stop. Seriously, grab a coffee and take a break.
- Obsess Over Their Every Move. Want to create a future anxious adult? Make sure your kid knows that you’re micromanaging every single thing they “have” to do to succeed. Forget their hobbies—fort-building is for toddlers, right? Swimming just for fun? Nope, too risky!
- Fixate on Their Future. Sure, you want to make sure your kid’s college resume is perfect, but did you remember to let them actually enjoy being a kid? Stressed-out kids don’t get far. If you need proof, just look at the Millennials. Focus on today—what’s wrong with ordering a pizza now and then?
- Forget What Fun Means. Fun is not watching your parent take photos from behind a camera. It’s not about updating social media or making perfect meals that you’ll never get around to. Fun is about real moments, real connections, and getting outside to meet friends at the park or pool.
- Count Down to the End of Summer. Yes, we know you have a job and kids at home can be a handful. But remember, you wanted kids for a reason. So put your phone down, stop chanting how much you can’t wait for school to start, and spend some quality time with your kids.
So, kid, hold your parents to their promise of prioritizing your happiness this summer. If you miss out on robotics because you chose to build that epic fort, trust me, you’re learning what you really need for life. Let’s hope we can convince your parents to chill out a bit. I’ll do my part if you do yours—start by getting outside!
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Summary: This article humorously outlines how overly involved parenting can ruin a child’s summer by focusing on structured activities and future achievements instead of letting them enjoy their childhood. It encourages kids to embrace fun and real connections while subtly calling out the over-scheduling tendencies of parents.