Was there a document that we signed as parents that informed our children that every day of summer was going to be a damn adventure? I blame capri sun commercials and Phineas and Ferb.
When my children are in school my life is scheduled like a busy OR. I have days that I do the grocery shopping and days that I do the laundry. I am able to fulfill all housewife affiliated duties without too much stress and/or interruptions. It's bliss. Then those dreaded months in the middle of the year roll around and screw it all up.
I'll admit it- mid-April I am 100% excited for summer. Either that or I am 100% done with "helping" my kids with school projects, spending my time organizing class parties or dealing with the barrage of bitching and fighting that happens every day at approximately 3pm. I start planning fun family outings, themed movie days, read-a-thons, etc. My Pinterest "Summer fun" board is full of outdoor games, lists of 101 almost free things to do this summer, recipes for shaved ice and other bullshit pins that I'm probably not going to bring to life. It's not because I'm a crappy mom or because I'm too cheap or lazy. This stuff most likely won't get done because my kids never want to do the same thing and I am too damn impatient to listen to 3 children fighting over who gets to fill up the water balloons or what flavor of jello to use for the jello shaved ice.
I have sweet kids...most of the time. They're respectful, responsible, well mannered and kind. However, they have very different personalities and as much as I would love to have a summer that reminds me of mine- the times have changed. In the late 80's and 90's I spent my summers with my best friends across the street. When we were bored we would ride bikes for hours, stick a sprinkler under a trampoline or play every board game in the cabinet. My memories of these days are good, they are warm and breezy and taste like root beer flavored Popsicles. In our neighborhood there aren't a ton of kids. My oldest child has friends around the corner and he is at the age where I feel ok with him riding down to his friends house. My two daughters aren't allowed to cruise the hood. Even though we live in a wonderful area with little to no crime, I've always lived with the theory that pedophiles and rapists are hiding in every bush waiting to snag my child. I also grew up in northern Utah where the normal summer high can be pretty warm but doesn't take your breathe away like it does here. I wouldn't let my dogs spend much time outdoors in this weather let alone my children. So what are we going to do to make fun summer memories?
The other day I tried out my read-a-thon idea. Nothing would've gone worse. They fought over spots to lay on, whether or not someone was reading out loud or making clicking noises. I ended it at 45 minutes and hid in my room until my husband got home...not the proudest moment.
I know that when they are older they'll remember the good stuff about summer in the way that I do. My mother was probably equally annoyed in 1991 listening to me whine about being bored. Hopefully they'll remember the living room camp outs with their buddies and the 900 pool days at their Nana's. They might smile when telling their kids about the camping trips in our new RV and all the random little weekend trips. I just wish they'd see those things now so I wouldn't have to feel guilty every time I finally get to the piles of laundry.
I think We Moms and Dads should do 2 things: Loosen up about all the daily stuff that isn't getting done this summer and to tell our slightly entitled kids to chill the hell out. We can't all give our kids the summers they see on the Disney channel. Some parents work, some don't have the funds for limitless entertainment and some of us do not have the personalities that are required for daily crafts and themed meals (however I suspect most of it is completely made up on Facebook to make their former high school classmates forget what evil bitches they were). Summer is only half over and I'm going to start implementing the changes tomorrow. When my kids come to me and ask what the plan is for the day and give an irritated sigh when you say "Sorry kiddo, someone has to keep you in clean undies"- just hand them a book or a laundry basket full of clothes that need folding. Summer should be for everyone to relax, not just the kids.
If you need help...enjoy this suggestion I found on iMom.com
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