For us working moms, summer isn’t much different than the rest of the year. We still have to get up early, get our kids out the door, work a full day, pick up the kids and then come home to things like laundry and dishes. But, despite a lot of the same routine, there are some things I do love about the summer months.
Camps Go Until Late Afternoon– During the school year, my husband drops off so that I can get into the office early. I then attempt to race out most days in order to pick up at 2:45. This is both stressful and unrealistic on many days. Our summer camp ends at 4pm and, on some weeks, 5pm! Normally I’d have to pay for after school care if I pick my kids up at 5pm. I love summer months where I don’t have to stress and can even run a quick errand or get in a quick workout before picking up the kids.
Guilt Free Screen Time– Summer camp means tons of fresh air, playing and learning new skills. I have no problem allowing extra screen time in the evenings knowing they have been “go-go-go” all day long.
Less Food to Pack– Most camps provide two snacks during the day. During the school year, I have to pack two snacks and a lunch for each kid. I love the summer because I only have to pack two lunches. That is ten fewer snacks a week than during the school year! Plus, our camp offers hot lunch some days. I pay for that guilt-free if it means I can have a break here and there from making lunches the night before.
More Evening Hours with the Family- It stays lighter later, so our evenings together seem longer. Couple that with fewer summertime commitments and it’s easier to do things like take the kids to the park after work or head to the beach for a dinnertime picnic. This is contrasted with the seasons where it’s dark when I leave and it’s dark when I come home!
Better Parking at Work– This may not be a universal issue, but parking at my place of work is tough. I love the summer months because the parking is easier due to more people taking vacation days.
There’s A/C at Work– In our area, air conditioning in someone’s house is rare because it’s only needed like 2 weeks a year. But for those two weeks I get to be cool as a cucumber in my office and I don’t have to deal with cranky, overheated kids trapped in a 90-degree house.
Fewer Academics Arguments– With summer comes the absence of things like homework and school projects. We do ensure our soon to be second grader reads daily and completes math worksheets a few times a week and that our soon to be kindergartner works on her writing, counting and basic spelling skills. But the daily push to get homework done or to start on a school project? I am not looking forward to that creeping back into our lives next month.
Less Hustle and Bustle- During the school year, my kids are busy. Every days seems to be filled with an extracurricular activity, a PTA meeting, a school project or play date. Since summer camp includes most sports like swimming, gymnastics and soccer, we took a break from enrolling the kids in anything additional this summer. We also have had very few playdates since my kids get to see many of their friends while at camp all day. Summer seems to bring less daily chaos.
Exhausted Kids– When I pick up from camp each day, my kids are exhausted. There is rarely push back when it is time to head upstairs to bed.
No School Calendar– Constantly rolling around in my head are thoughts like, “was today show and tell? Is tomorrow a spirit day and, if so, what is their class color? Oh no, when is Teacher Appreciation week?” Summer months mean none of that and I love it.
Using Much Needed Vacation Time– Hopefully you find opportunity to take at least a few days to actually enjoy the summer with a vacation. Or staycation. Just something to help you unwind and get you to focus on things other than the office.
Short Commitment to Try New Things– One of the gambles in signing your kids up for a new sport is the chance that they may not like it. Many offer a free trial class, but not always. The camp we are using this week includes different sports/skills/adventures each week. My daughter had never tried gymnastics but after trying it each morning for five days straight, she discovered she loved it. So, I simply signed her up for more during the summer. If she hadn’t, the commitment would have been over after just one week.
Many of these can be enjoyed by all moms, not just working moms. What would you add?
