Ah, summer! A time for late mornings, neighborhood strolls, frog-catching escapades, nature hikes, endless Lego creations, arts and crafts, pool splashes, and baking delicious treats. Sounds dreamy, right? Well, that’s the picture-perfect summer for kids, but let’s talk about us parents for a moment.
As a mostly stay-at-home mom, the idea of two plus months of unstructured time with my three kiddos is anything but idyllic. For them, “taking it easy” translates to me running around like a chicken with its head cut off. They wake up and go to bed at different times, they rarely agree on food (except for that one miraculous moment when they all decide they want shell-shaped mac ‘n cheese), and their interpretations of “unstructured” are vastly different. One wants to lounge at home, one is itching to visit the zoo, and the third has her heart set on Great America. Coordinating their whims is like trying to herd cats, and it usually ends with someone in tears.
If we stick around the house, the bickering can drive anyone to insanity. One kid might be engrossed in Minecraft, while another is busy playing soccer outside, and the third is insisting I join her in an elaborate game that requires me to don a tiara and perform mermaid dances. (Spoiler: seahorses eat seaweed pancakes for breakfast.)
To let my kids experience a nostalgic summer means I’m on full-time duty, juggling cooking, playing, mediating disputes, and shuttling them around. And let’s be real: even if they managed to relax for a week, I’d lose my mind in the sea of unscheduled time. During the school year, I thrive on routine, which consists of a whirlwind of meal prep, carpooling, errands, and a sprinkling of part-time work. When a random school day off hits, I can barely keep it together—so imagine the chaos of an entire summer without plans.
That’s why my kids are enrolled in camp ALL SUMMER LONG. Okay, with the exception of a couple of weeks when we all take a family vacation together. This year, my two older girls will be off to sleepaway camp for a whole month, while the youngest enjoys her preschool’s summer program (which is surprisingly unstructured). After camp, we have a week before vacation, during which one will dive into soccer camp while the other tackles tennis. And for the little one? Yep, more preschool fun!
I absolutely adore my girls and cherish the time we share. But having three distinct personalities with varying demands underfoot all summer without a plan? Not so much. And, let’s be honest, I enjoy my child-free downtime, which is hard to come by when camp isn’t in session. Call it selfish, but I need that balance.
The upside? My kids love camp! It’s a chance for them to develop skills, hang out with friends, and try exciting activities like rock climbing and surfing. And while you might think I’ll be sipping Mai Tais on my deck, the reality is that the little one gets out of camp at 1 p.m. daily. I’ve even scheduled some one-on-one time with each of my older girls and a few group outings, because yes, I love them (Disneyland, anyone?).
In conclusion, while the notion of an unplanned summer sounds delightful in theory, the reality is that it can lead to chaos for us parents. Balancing their needs, my sanity, and a bit of fun is the real summer challenge!
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