Summer is just around the corner, and as the school year winds down, I’m already contemplating the upcoming break. Living in a community brimming with diverse and budget-friendly summer activities—from swimming lessons to cooking classes and sports teams—has always kept me busy planning out my kids’ schedules. In previous years, the arrival of the summer program guide would have sent me into a frenzy of highlighting, dog-earing pages, and messaging other parents to see what their kids were signing up for. I’d have marked my calendar for registration day, ensuring I was ready to spend what felt like a small fortune on camps and classes.
However, this year is different. The program guide has remained largely untouched since it arrived over two months ago. Sure, I’ve flipped through it occasionally, but each time, I’ve returned it to the cupboard without making any decisions. Aside from a brief extension class at my son’s school and spring baseball, I haven’t committed to any summer activities yet. I know these spots fill up quickly, and as the days pass, I fear we might end up with an unscheduled summer. But maybe that’s exactly what I want.
At first, the idea of a loosely structured summer was unsettling. For the last five years, summer camps and classes have been my lifeline, keeping my kids engaged while providing me with some much-needed work time as a work-from-home mom. I worried about the potential boredom for both them and myself during those long summer days. But soon, that anxiety was replaced by a wave of relief, freedom, and anticipation. Without the constraints of scheduled activities, we could embark on road trips, hit the beach, or invite friends over without any conflicts. With a pool pass in hand, we could enjoy spontaneous swimming whenever the mood struck.
Embracing a bit of boredom might even inspire creativity, leading to new adventures and activities. I recognize how fortunate we are to have this choice, and I don’t want to squander it with a self-imposed list of obligations. Now that my kids are 6 and 9 years old, we find ourselves in a sweet spot of parenting. They’re independent enough to play on their own, yet still young enough to relish the simple joys of summer, like catching fireflies and playing neighborhood games.
After discussing our summer plans with my husband, we agreed on fewer obligations and more freedom. To my surprise, when I brought this idea to my boys, they welcomed it with enthusiasm, albeit with a few questions. I shared that after their school extension class ends in late June, they would each participate in one sports team—baseball for my older son and tee ball for the younger one—both of which only require a couple of evenings a week. The rest of the time would be completely open for lake days, pool outings, and time with friends. I also suggested that we keep journals to document our summer escapades. I made it clear that while boredom is okay, if they come to me seeking entertainment, they might not appreciate my creative solutions (think folding laundry or cleaning the yard).
I’m still uncertain how this unscheduled summer will unfold. It may lead to more sibling squabbles than I would like, and we might all need some “time outs.” But I also hope it creates space for bike rides, nature walks, and spontaneous visits to relatives. This summer is an opportunity to replace the rigid structure of the school year with a sense of exploration and possibility, if only for two months. I aim to teach my family, myself included, to slow down and appreciate that our experiences are shaped by our own choices.
I view this summer as an experiment. Will we thrive and find joy in the unstructured days, or will I discover that, despite my desire for spontaneity, our family truly needs a routine? And, perhaps most importantly, how long until I lose my mind, resort to day drinking, and rummage through the trash to find that discarded program guide in search of just one open class—like basket weaving or croquet—for a fleeting moment of peace? Time will tell.
If you’re considering a more relaxed summer, check out this post on 10 Ways to Give Your Kid a 1970’s Kind of Summer for some inspiration. Additionally, for those interested in pregnancy resources, visit the World Health Organization for valuable information. And if you’re looking for home insemination kits, Cryobaby is a reputable online retailer.
In summary, this summer is shaping up to be an adventure of unstructured freedom, inviting both excitement and uncertainty. As we step into this new chapter, I hope to embrace the possibilities that lie ahead.
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