Ah, the joys of summer: sleeping in, wandering the neighborhood, catching frogs, nature walks, endless Lego creations, finger painting, and swimming at the pool. For kids, it sounds like a dream summer filled with endless possibilities. But for parents, the reality can be quite different.
As a mostly stay-at-home mom, the thought of two months with my three children without a structured plan often feels overwhelming. While my kids might relish the idea of a laid-back summer, for me, unstructured time translates into nonstop activity. They don’t wake up or sleep at the same time, and their food preferences rarely align—unless, of course, it’s a magical moment when they all agree on shell-shaped mac ‘n cheese.
Each child has their own interpretation of “free time.” One wants to lounge at home; another is eager for trips to the zoo, while the youngest dreams of amusement parks. Coordinating everyone feels like herding cats and almost always ends in tears. When we stay home, the bickering can be relentless, with one child glued to Minecraft while another plays soccer outside, and the youngest insists on a game of Mermaid Princess Goes to the Undersea Grocery Store. Yes, that means I get to wear a tiara and perform a mermaid dance—because, obviously, I need to know what seahorses eat for breakfast (seaweed pancakes, in case you were wondering).
For my kids to have a nostalgic summer, I end up being on call 24/7—cooking, mediating disputes, and shuttling them around. Honestly, even if they managed to take it easy for just one week, I would struggle with all that unstructured time. During the school year, I thrive on routine, even if it involves endless meal prep, carpooling, and managing various meltdowns. A random day off from school can throw my whole schedule into chaos, so the thought of an entire summer without a plan? Not a pretty picture.
That’s why my children are enrolled in summer camp for the whole season—except for our family vacation weeks. This year, my older girls are off to sleepaway camp for a month, while the youngest will attend her preschool’s summer program, which, ironically, is quite unstructured. After that, we’ll dive into soccer and tennis before heading off on vacation. Once we return, three weeks will remain, filled with opportunities like a two-week camp that takes them on exciting field trips to places I prefer to avoid, another week of sports camp, and, of course, more preschool camp for the little one.
I adore my daughters and cherish our time together, but managing three kids with differing needs without a plan for the entire summer is daunting. I also value my personal downtime, and a summer without camps leaves little room for it. Call it selfish, but it’s essential for my balance.
The reality is, my kids genuinely enjoy camp. It’s a fantastic chance for them to explore new skills, make friends, and engage in fun activities like rock climbing and surfing. And while I won’t be lounging with a Mai Tai all day, I have planned special outings with my girls, including some individual time and group adventures—because I truly love spending time with them.
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In summary, while summer can be a delightful time for kids, the lack of structure can create chaos for parents. Camps provide much-needed relief and opportunities for children to grow, explore, and enjoy their time away from home.