Dear Young One,
I hate to break it to you, but your parent has taken a turn for the obsessive. When it comes to your summer plans, they have transformed into a hyper-organized machine, determined to fill every moment of your break with structured activities.
Educational camps, music lessons, swimming classes—whatever it takes to ensure your growth and responsibility. You might be young, but that won’t stop them from pushing you into a summer of “fun.”
Forget about fort-building. Instead, you’ll find yourself enrolled in robotics camp or taking viola lessons, honing skills you didn’t even know you needed. (Yes, I know remembering your home phone number is a challenge, but time to step it up.)
If you’re lucky, your parent might pencil in an hour or two for “free play” (which is oddly scheduled). The thing is, this well-meaning but overzealous parent can’t resist making every minute of your life about “getting ahead.”
Why? Because they were raised by similar parents—your grandparents, also known as Helicopter Parents. They’re always buzzing around, and if you’re like many parents today, you may be exhausted by their hovering.
But we’re still scared of your super-organized, Pinterest-perfect parent. We don’t want to get too close for fear of catching their obsession with planning every minute of everyone’s time.
In the meantime, here’s a guide for your parent. Hand it to them, but you might want to run afterward.
5 Ways to Ruin Your Child’s Summer
- Make Every Moment a “Learning” Opportunity.
If you’re the kind of parent who follows your child around the park, narrating every action in an effort to foster their development, let me suggest you take a break. Grab a drink and relax like the rest of us. - Monitor Every Move.
Want to raise a neurotic, dependent adult? Focus obsessively on their every action. Ensure they know that you’re orchestrating everything they must do to achieve success. Forget about their interests—building forts is for toddlers. Swimming just for fun? That’s ridiculous. - Prioritize Their Future.
You might think you’re doing the right thing by crafting the perfect resume for them well ahead of college applications (even if that’s years away). But have you considered letting them simply enjoy being a child? Stressed kids don’t thrive. Look at the Millennial generation—good grades didn’t prevent widespread anxiety. Focus on the present, skip the quinoa, and order a pizza instead. - Forget What “Fun” Really Means.
Fun isn’t about capturing every moment on camera or updating your social media. It’s not about pinning elaborate meal ideas while your kid seeks your attention. Real fun is about genuine experiences and friendships. Get outside and make memories with real-life friends—those you meet at the pool or park. - Count Down to the End of Summer.
Yes, we understand that working while managing kids at home is a challenge. But remember, you chose to have kids. Instead of anxiously awaiting their return to school, silence your phone and spend quality time with the children you wanted to raise.
Your parents will likely insist that your happiness is their top priority. This summer, hold them accountable. If you miss out on robotics for a day of fort-building in the backyard, know that those skills are just as critical for life.
Now, let’s work together. You can start by getting outside!
Sincerely,
Your Friendly Advisor
For more insights on parenting and managing summer plans, check out our other blog posts, including this excellent resource on pregnancy and home insemination from March of Dimes. And if you want to explore options for home insemination, visit Make a Mom for a comprehensive kit.
Summary:
In summary, parents should reconsider their approach to summer activities for their children. Over-scheduling and focusing too much on future success can hinder children’s ability to enjoy their childhood. Balancing structured activities with unstructured playtime is essential for fostering happiness and development. By allowing kids to engage in free play and authentic experiences, parents can support their well-being and growth.