As summer rolls in, working parents face a unique struggle: guilt. While many families are trying to find ways to keep their kids entertained during those long, hot days, working moms grapple with a different challenge. The season often feels like a repeat of the school year, with the only real change being a brief vacation here and there. This leads to a common feeling: the worry that they are not providing their children with the carefree summer experiences they had as kids.
In a piece for the Chicago Tribune, Sarah Johnson perfectly articulates how many working parents feel as summer progresses. “By mid-July, I realize that summer doesn’t feel all that different from the rest of the year; we’re still rushing from one activity to another. (Camp! Work! Soccer practice! Grocery shopping! Playdates!) I promised myself it would be different this year, yet here I am again, feeling like my kids don’t even have time to say, ‘I’m bored.’”
I can relate. When I was working full-time in an office, our summers felt the same once the kids were in school. The only notable change was swapping out winter jackets for swim gear as they went to daycare.
Sarah reflects on how her family’s real vacation allowed her kids to indulge in the kind of summer fun she remembers fondly from her own childhood — games, outdoor play, and swimming. But this is where the guilt hits hard. “Somewhere along the way, I got the idea that summer should be like that every day. Perhaps it’s a reflection of my own childhood, when I spent endless hours just being a kid.”
I too recall those lazy summers, where I woke up without an alarm and wandered outside or simply found ways to entertain myself. I embraced boredom, played games, read books, and spent time with friends — whatever I felt like doing. Somewhere along the line, I convinced myself that working full-time meant my children were missing out on that idyllic experience. Eventually, I came to a realization.
It’s all nonsense.
Now that I work from home, my kids are getting a taste of the summer I once deemed perfect. Yet, I also remember those summers filled with camps when I worked outside the home. My son had an absolute blast learning new skills, making friends, and engaging in fun activities, while I struggled with guilt each morning when I dropped him off for camp.
Now, with a few days off during the week, I try to pack those days full of activities to ensure we’re making the most of summer. Yet, on my workdays, they might be at home feeling “bored” while I’m busy writing, causing a different type of guilt to creep in.
The truth is, the guilt never disappears. But it’s time to let it go because kids are resilient. They’ll find joy and make memories, whether it’s a fun day out with me or a quiet day at home while I’m busy on the laptop. As I drown in guilt, they are simply enjoying their summer.
It’s about time I shift my focus to their happiness instead of fixating on that nagging voice in my head.
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In summary, summer can be a challenging time for working moms filled with guilt over not providing the same carefree experience they had as children. However, it’s essential to recognize that children find joy in their own unique ways, regardless of how much time a parent can spend with them. Embracing their happiness and letting go of guilt can lead to a more fulfilling summer for everyone.