When my children returned to school after their recent spring break, they were tasked with writing about their time off—how they spent those ten days and what activities they engaged in.
“What did you write about?” I nervously inquired, as I imagined their responses. Did they describe endless hours on YouTube? Wearing pajamas all day and neglecting basic hygiene? Devouring Easter candy at breakfast?
Honestly, that’s pretty much how our spring break unfolded. And it’s likely how our summer will be too.
Sure, we’ll take a few trips and sign them up for some casual camps throughout June, July, and August. However, the majority of our summer days will mirror the relaxed vibe of our spring break. Think lazy mornings, sleeping in, minimal grooming, snacks galore, and a blissful absence of rigid schedules.
In the summertime, my kids typically wake up anywhere between 6 and 9 a.m. Their breakfast is often a haphazard affair, consisting of dry cereal while lounging on the couch, and maybe some cheese an hour later. By noon, after exhausting the iPad’s battery, they’ll likely change into play clothes and head outside, only to come back in moments later, and then repeat the process.
We might visit the pool, or we might not. A trip to the library is possible, but not guaranteed. They could play with friends down the street, engaging in marathon games of “hide and seek” or “the floor is lava,” pausing only for popsicles and watermelon. Or perhaps they won’t.
That’s the beauty of a largely unscheduled summer, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
I understand that not every family can function without structure—some parents need childcare due to work commitments, while certain kids thrive on a more organized routine to maintain household peace (and Mom’s sanity). But for us, this arrangement works, and it brings me joy.
I won’t deny that having some plans is essential to interject a bit of variety into our days and to remind us to comb our hair, put on real clothes, and venture outside. To that end, I’ve enrolled my kids in a few casual activities and sports that occupy a few hours here and there. However, if you glance at our calendar, you’ll notice that most summer weeks remain blissfully empty, with activities spaced out and generally starting around 10 a.m. This preserves our leisurely mornings and late-night Star Wars marathons.
As we look back once school resumes, we’ll often find that those blank squares on the calendar weren’t truly empty. “That was the day we visited the zoo,” we’ll say. “And remember the night we ordered pizza with the neighbors and played flashlight tag until it was almost bedtime?”
By the end of August, my son, who loves to read, will have devoured 50 books. My sports-loving child will have played baseball and soccer until he collapsed in a sweaty heap each night. My daughter will create and illustrate countless stories. Toys will be left scattered in the yard, only to be rediscovered the next day. There will be spontaneous bike rides and road trips to see family and friends. My kids will invent their own entertainment because they know Mom won’t be their daily entertainer.
Some days, their method of choice might involve excessive screen time, while other days will be filled with art projects, puzzles, or perfecting cartwheels. They may spend hours reading Harry Potter or swimming until they pass out for an afternoon nap.
I recognize that I can’t recreate the nostalgic summers of my childhood. After all, finding candy cigarettes and Tang is nearly impossible these days. But I can ensure that the months from May to September are dedicated to imaginative, unstructured, and unplanned play. I can provide opportunities for them to dig in the dirt, catch ladybugs, indulge in movie marathons, ride bikes, and engage in epic water gun battles.
So even though my daughter wrote, “I ate a bag of jelly beans and stayed up until 10 every night” for her spring break assignment, and her summer essay will likely look much the same, I’m completely fine with that.
Before diving back into the whirlwind of reading logs, math assignments, science projects, and permission slips, I cherish the break my children—and I—get during these laid-back months.
Yes, the days can feel long with all three kids at home. I won’t pretend that I don’t celebrate when school starts again and I reclaim my space. They are typical kids, and despite their love for one another, they can argue fiercely over the iPad, TV remote, game controllers, and water guns. Daily, there’s bound to be tears from falls, bumps, or the occasional bee sting.
But thankfully, on days when we have no plans, I can bandage a scraped knee and send them back outside, popsicle in hand. I might have to shout “Play nice!” from the kitchen window occasionally, but those are the moments when I pour myself a little Mommy juice and invite the other moms from the neighborhood over.
And so, our summer unfolds.
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