By: Jenna Hartfield
Updated: Aug. 14, 2023
Originally Published: Aug. 14, 2023
Let me start by saying that summer break has its perks. Like … um … okay, actually, I can only think of one thing: it’s nearly over, and honestly, I am so done with it.
Right now, I can hear a spoon clattering against a bowl—probably filled with cereal, which I can bet will end up abandoned somewhere in the house. I’ll be left yelling for the umpteenth time this week, “WHO LEFT THE CEREAL BOWL OUT?” But the bowl isn’t the only issue; I can just envision the cereal box still open on the counter, and maybe even the milk. My kids claim to be bored out of their minds, yet they somehow avoid cleaning up after themselves like it’s a national sport.
Our garage is packed with bikes and scooters, their rooms overflow with gadgets, and their closets are bursting with toys. Even with all this stuff, they insist they have “nothing to do.” Instead, they fill their time arguing over trivial matters, like who can do the best Fortnite dance or who left the toilet unflushed … again. If I could just get five minutes of peace without hearing shouts or me yelling, “JUST LEAVE YOUR BROTHER ALONE!” that would be fantastic. But alas, I’m still waiting.
A more patient mom would have a list of engaging summer activities to keep boredom at bay, but let’s be real—that means crafting, messy projects, and potential disasters. Remember when I accidentally glued my fingers to my pants? Yeah, not doing that again.
I wish I could say I’m encouraging imaginative play, but “imaginative play” usually ends up being creative ways to make messes. Like the time they decided to climb to the top bunk and fill the ceiling fan with tiny wads of paper, turning it on to create “snow.” Or the time they attempted to make slime with nearly all of my expensive detergent.
All my good intentions for summer have vanished, and any structure I promised has turned into chaos. We haven’t done anything remotely educational in … a month? (Sorry, teachers.) My house is a free-for-all when it comes to screen time, and the idea of three distinct meals has been replaced by one long, continuous snack fest—of questionable nutritional value, mind you. Honestly, I can’t remember the last time they had a proper bath with soap, not just a hose or a pool. And matching outfits? Forget about it. If they want to wear Christmas pajama pants that look like they belong to a toddler, so be it.
The incessant ding-dong of the doorbell has become as familiar as the sound of a cash register. It signals the arrival of neighborhood kids, which just adds to my already sky-high grocery bill and lets the cool air out. How is it even possible for a handful of kids to demolish a Costco-sized box of cheap popsicles in just two and a half days? Yet, here we are—popsicle-less.
This chaotic summer, filled with artificial colors and mind-numbing activities, has pushed my Mom Guilt to new heights, all while I try to keep things low maintenance. I simply don’t have the energy to be the perfect mom and stay sane 24/7. By “maintain,” I mean “not completely losing my marbles.”
At this point, I dream of dropping them off at school with backpacks full of snacks and saying, “Okay kids! Just wait here, the doors will open soon,” and then peeling out of the parking lot.
While summer break allows for some flexibility, school brings back structure. It means routines for all of us. Sure, it comes with the stress of getting everyone dressed, fed, and out the door, but it’s a small price to pay for the sweet silence that follows. After all, I relish those few precious hours of peace away from the sounds of cartoons, bickering, and the constant refrain of “There’s nothing to doooo!” and “There’s nothing to eeeeat!”
I love my kids dearly, but right now, I’d really love for them to return to school. I’m a much better mom when I get a breather, and at this moment, I’m feeling suffocated by the summer togetherness. Here’s hoping the remaining days of break fly by, so I can return to a predictable daily routine and send them off for the education they deserve. And then, of course, I’ll cry because the house feels so empty without them.
Summary:
As summer break winds down, many parents find themselves yearning for the structure and routine that school brings. The chaos of endless bickering, messy projects, and snack-filled days can sap a parent’s energy and patience. While we love our children, the return to school means a return to sanity—at least for a few hours each day.