Posted by Mrs. Wilson
So I read today that summer is half over. Half. Over. This brings mixed emotions for me. I mean, last year’s lunch calendar is still stuck to our fridge and I am not entirely sure if I have unpacked backpacks from June 6.
I work in an elementary school and have two elementary school aged kids. So on one hand, my initial thought is, “Nooooooooooooooo!” Like most parents, I spend about ten months dragging my kids out of bed, yelling to them that they still have homework to finish (“Last night you told me you would get up early to finish your math, now do it!” is a favorite rant of mine), digging through the fridge, in search of something for breakfast (and thanking the lunchroom gods that it’s taco day so I don’t have to pack lunches), all while trying to remind myself of what meeting I have first that day. The sports, the early dismissals for ortho appointments, the projects (try finding a trifold board in Lamoille county. I dare you), the hassle. So you can see why I am a little panicked about summer being half over — I’m still recovering from last school year and feel a little like when I would see a well-intended person in the grocery store two weeks after having a baby asking when the next one is coming. Picture the smile through gritted teeth.
My second thought is more focused on whether I have created a worthy summer for my kids. I mean, this is the time I am supposed to be relaxed. Easy going. We’ll see where the day takes us. Picnic? Sure! A hike to the top of Elmore? You bet. A leisurely bike ride on the bike path? Ok! This is more the reality: an intense feeling of guilt as I try my best to talk the kids out of these things, an attempt to make it seem like I am doing them a favor by reminding them of things they hate: mosquitoes, sunscreen, and exercise (because I am lazy). This summer, I am trying a different approach. I am trying to do things to help create a fun-filled, wholesome summer. Guess what? We’ve been on the bike path a bunch of times! We’ve explored rivers and caught frogs and we’ve been swimming a lot! The hike up Elmore is another story – not because I’ve instilled a fear of landslides in my kids, but because I have a horrible sense of direction and would prefer to tackle this trek with someone a little more woodsy. So the worthy summer is underway.
My third thought is the nagging reminder of the those pesky summer assignments. It was all so hopeful on the last day of school when my oldest came home with summer language arts and history assignments. I stuck it to the fridge, a constant reminder of my plan to get cracking on both before we hit July. Well, there the assignments stay, taunting me every time I open the fridge. Which is a lot in the summer. However, we have been to the library and he has *started* the language arts book. Note to self: three chapters before he falls into the x-box coma.
Here is the other side of my thought process. Autumn. Soccer games. New school supplies. Routine. Bed time. I love these things! Having a stronger sense of purpose for our days creates a sense of calm for me. And I think it creates a sense of calm for my kids, too. I kind of like the back-to-school ads and flyers. And don’t even get me started on our maiden voyage to Staples. So maybe it’s not such a bad thing that summer is half over. Good things are waiting for us on the other side of August.
Last night on my picnic by the river (wholesome summer activity, check), we met up with our close friends. In fact, my friend gave me the idea for this post by mentioning that it’s so important to be in the moment. We set ourselves up for unrealistic summers that any shortcoming ends up being a huge letdown. But for whom? Not our kids. For us. And that ends up ruining what is supposed to be one of the best times of the year. Enjoy the now and stop rating it. Skip stones, catch fireflies, eat too many s’mores and hang on tight ’cause summer is half over.
