Remember those carefree summer days? Sunshine, laughter, and the thrill of freedom from school! It felt like three blissful months of adventure that flew by all too quickly. But then you become a parent.
As a mom or dad, your perspective shifts drastically. You suddenly find yourself appreciating school more than ever—at least until your kids ask for homework help! You develop a newfound respect for teachers, not just the great ones. Honestly, as long as they keep my kids engaged and out of my hair for most of the day, I’m on board.
Nothing highlights the importance of school quite like the daunting task of keeping your kids entertained for two to three months straight. Anyone who can take that on deserves a medal and a hefty paycheck. Suddenly, the idea of year-round schooling starts to make a lot more sense. Thanks for nothing, summer!
Your beloved season transforms into a challenge. Summer, which once promised fun and relaxation, turns into a marathon of managing your kids’ seemingly endless energy and cries of boredom. Without school, they are like ships adrift, needing guidance and structure. They require someone to corral them, to whisk them away for hours, giving you a moment to think and maybe even check off a few things on your to-do list. Instead, you find yourself juggling trips to the playground, playdates, Target runs, and bathroom breaks—always with your little ones demanding your attention.
Thus, every summer, you ponder the same question: What is the price of your sanity?
The answer often leads you to the one solution that promises relief: summer camp. However, the cost can be jaw-dropping—sometimes exceeding $500 a week! For that price, I expect my child to return with some serious life skills, like smartphone building or at least some new dance moves.
While I’m based in New York City, where everything is pricier, this issue isn’t exclusive to just one location. Camps are expensive everywhere due to the simple laws of supply and demand. Just like the clever entrepreneurs with their ice cream trucks, those running summer camps know parents will pay whatever it takes to keep their kids occupied.
Still, the cost feels like a stretch—until the summer actually kicks off. On the very first day of break, my five-year-old declared, “I’m bored!” at 9:24 a.m. By now, a few weeks in, I’ve witnessed everything from him shining a flashlight in my eyes for twenty minutes to the chaos that follows. Suddenly, my financial concerns seem trivial. I’d gladly trade one of my kidneys at this point for someone to whisk him away to a camp where he can do arts and crafts in peace—preferably in a safe environment.
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In summary, summer can morph from a dream into a daunting challenge for parents. With kids craving entertainment and structure, summer camps become a necessity – albeit an expensive one. The joy of summer may not feel the same as it once did, but with the right camp, you can regain your sanity and let your kids have their fun.