Some parts of the country have already begun their summer break from school but here in the Pacific Northwest we are just about to embark on it. There is excitement buzzing as the kids are of course ready to say goodbye for now to getting up early to spend all day in class, homework and tests; they are ready for some relaxation and fun.
I tell my kids often that at their ages, school is their job. I recognize they work hard, and I am a big supporter of them getting down time and days where they don’t have a dozen things going on or a due date looming over their head.
For my kids on their last day of school, they will take a deep breath as they welcome all the fun that summer will bring.
For me, I will take a deep breath as I know I am stepping into what I categorize as a lot of work and chaos that is about to ensue. Goodbye structure and routine that I rely so heavily on and hello to managing camps with varying drop off and pick up times, who is going where and gap days where I need to ensure my kids are not at home alone for too many hours while we are at work.
For moms like me who work and don’t get a break in the summer other than pre-arranged paid time off work that we may take; summer can be a lot.
My summer planning starts in February each year. Yes, February. Certain camps start opening up for enrollment and you have to be quick or you’ll end up on a wait list. But now here we are and camp season is upon us. My color-coded spreadsheet is nothing short of magnificent if I do say so myself. It helps us keep track of all the various activities from morning swim team practices to camps to who is driving in what carpool on what day.
The work that goes into summer planning is no joke. I will just say it this way; if you know, you know.
Different seasons of parenthood have made for varying levels and types of summer stress. There is the baby and daycare stage where, looking back, was in some ways easier because there was no stressing about camps. There was stressing about a million other things, however.
Then came the school age where they are too old for daycare yet need full care during working hours. This was incredibly challenging for me the first year my oldest hit this stage. That was the year I learned that some camps open in February for enrollment and that the hours of camp vary from half day to almost full day to full day. It was a big learning curve.
I am in what I view as a third stage or season of summer stress. The stage where they have outgrown summer day camps but they are also too young for a job or to yet have complete independence. My kids will be entering 6th grade and 8th grade. My 6th grader still likes a variety and is at that age where I need to keep her busy and don’t like the idea of her being by herself at home. I can find some camps for her but there are many that she is just simply too old for.
We are in that stage where overnight camps are very much a thing, and I am comfortable with that. It is ok if that is not something you are comfortable with. Keep that in mind and do not ever feel pressure to not stick with your gut.
If you are reading this feeling stressed that your kids are too overscheduled, too under scheduled or just feeling that uncertainty that can come with the days of summer; remember to take that breath. Summer will happen and soon enough it will be fall. It will all be ok.
I find myself constantly taking a breath this time of year as we welcome the season that brings joy to my kids but some stress to myself. After many years of embarking on this season, I do think it gets easier and I find myself in this stage my kids are at to be the easiest as of yet.
I will take a deep breath to remember I have been here before; we have had wonderful summers even despite the planning it takes on my end. It will all be ok. It might even be amazing and fun.
Take a deep breath mom, summer is here. You got this!
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