Too Much Free Time
Thinking I had learned my lesson, the following summer I signed the kids up for very few camps. We had weeks and weeks on end where nothing was planned. I told my friends how glad I was that the kids and I would have time to relax, take day trips and do fun things together.
In short, I tried to grow myself a horn and become a unicorn. It didn't work. When I was on deadline and had to get work done (which was daily), I abandoned my kids to their electronics.
We would go to the park, but my kids got tired of the same parks over and over again. They also decided they didn't like the beach because of sand.
And unfortunately, I'm not the right kind of mom for stay-at-home activities. I don't put together nature scavenger hunts. I don’t come up with craft activities we can do at home.
My kids love to go for hikes and long walks because it gives them an opportunity to beat their previous record for Number of Complaints Per Step. Having the kids in too few camps was also not the way to go.
Meeting in the Middle
So what am I doing this summer? I’m trying to find a balance.
We have a busy June and July, and then nothing in August. I figure that eases the transition into summer for all of us by keeping them out of the house and occupied, but still leaving August open for us to do anything on our summer wish list.
This will also give me just enough time at home with them before September rolls around, and I can fully appreciate that first day back at school.
I'm not sure how this is going to go wrong, but there's no way it can't. Let's go, summer, I can't wait to see how you'll break me this time—I'm ready.
TAKE THE QUIZ: How Long Should You Send Your Kid to Summer Camp?
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