The countdown is officially on—just nine days until summer break begins in our home. But don’t mistake my feeling for the cheerful anticipation of “Nine days until Christmas.” No, this is more akin to the dread of “Nine days until I undergo three root canals.” And let’s be honest, calling it a “vacation” is a stretch at best.
In a dream world, my kids and I would bask in the sun, enjoying ice cream and working together to cultivate the most perfect watermelon in our backyard garden. Ah, but reality has other plans.
My children thrive on structure. When they have unstructured time, it leads to chaos, tears, and general unhappiness for everyone involved. I try to mitigate this by enrolling them in a plethora of summer activities. However, with three kids of different ages, finding activities that accommodate all of them at once is like searching for a unicorn. Consequently, our days consist of me racing them to various activities, while they grumble and complain about the whole ordeal. “Why do I have to go to his class, Mom? This is so unfair!”
And don’t even get me started on the costs involved. You could feed a small village for what you spend on a week’s worth of gymnastics classes for toddlers—only to have them end up doing a log roll instead of a somersault. “What am I paying for here?” I wonder, watching them clap for a non-skillful tumble.
We’ve also poured quite a bit into swimming lessons for my daughters. My six-year-old is still in the beginner level, where putting her face in the water and blowing bubbles is the main focus. She’s terrified of water deeper than her ankles, yet here we are, continuing to shell out money for lessons that haven’t eased her fears. But at least it gives us an excuse to get out of the house.
The beach is always an option—free and enjoyable for the kids. But for me? It’s a nightmare. The prep work takes longer than the time we actually spend there. Just applying sunscreen feels like a part-time job! Plus, the snacks, drinks, toys, and other paraphernalia we need to haul along. I’m not an octopus; I only have two arms. How am I supposed to juggle all this while stopping my three-year-old from playing “Frogger” in the parking lot?
And let’s talk about sand. I absolutely loathe it. It ends up everywhere—in the van, the house, even under the sheets! I have recurring dreams of my kids burying me in sand, with popsicles dripping into my eye. I wake up in a panic, only to realize it’s not just a dream. “Can I at least get some Visine?”
I often wish I were the crafty mom who organizes fun art projects. If I were, we could have themed days: “Birdhouse Building Monday,” “Paper Mache Tuesday,” and so on. Unfortunately for my kids, I’m the polar opposite of that.
I know deep down that my attempts to create a semblance of a normal summer schedule will likely lead to a chorus of complaints: “Why don’t we have a pool, Mom?” “I’m bored!” “I’m hungry!” “Why do I have to pick up sticks?” “This is NOT fun!” “This is the worst summer ever!”
87 days until school resumes—give or take. But who’s counting, right?
If you want to learn more about navigating summer breaks, check out our other posts, including tips on home insemination and fertility journeys at Home Insemination Kit and Couples’ Fertility Journey. For insights on IVF processes, this resource is a must-read.
In summary, summer vacation often feels more like a chaotic marathon than a relaxing retreat. Between juggling activities, managing fears, and dealing with complaints, the struggle is real. But with a little patience and creativity, perhaps we can make it through together!