For one, there were 3 of them and we didn't go back to school til after the State Fair and Labor day...do you remember those days? Now our kids get two months at best!
For two, we spent 90% of our summer in our bathing suits while playing in the pool or outside with neighbor kids having water fights, playing kickball games, making up shows... Yes, shows. The late 70's and early 80's were very big on musicals. I used to borrow my mom's knee high boots and wear my hair with braided barrettes trying to look like Olivia Newton-John in Xanadu. Please don't hold this against me. Thank you.
For three, summer was great because we had no agenda. We may have had one long weekend of "vacation" to San Francisco, Marriott's Great America or on really great years to Disneyland. My family were not big travelers, they were not outdoorsy or athletic but we didn't know we were missing out on anything. A wise person I know told me that we "set the standard" for our kids...life and fun are defined by us as parents. If we live like the rich, famous and spoiled..we are potentially teaching our children to expect this kind of lifestyle.
Nowadays, summer tends to be busy, at least if feels that way to me. Within the first two weeks we have VBS at our church, then comes up the weekend of Ladies Retreat and a annual family reunion (which always fall on the same weekend). Then it's the 4th of July (annual party at my parents), family camp, Catie's dance recital, swim lessons and any other spontaneous fun you try and squeeze in. Plus, I still have to work my 6-8 days a month and we end up spending a lot of time taking the family down the hill. We live 50+ miles from my work and from family who are gracious to watch the kids when we need help. I haven't even gone to any of the fun water aerobic or fit dancing classes going on in town because we've either been gone or when we are home, we're exhausted.
I don't know about you...but summer wears me out. It's filled with GOOD things. We're not doing anything crazy or ambitious. Right?I'm curious and calling on other Muddled Moms..what do your summers look like? Do you have any advice for me or other mamas who are feeling the exhaustion of summer? Do you work or stay at home? How do you maintain a healthy balance for your family?
All I want to do is hang out at home, let the kids play. I wish we had a pool..(this picture is from when we camped at Calaveras Big Trees) because I would do this as often as possible.
