As spring break wraps up, my thoughts inevitably shift toward summer. With the school year coming to a close in less than two months, I find myself deep in discussions about summer plans.
Living in a vibrant community, my family has access to an extensive range of exciting and budget-friendly summer activities, from swimming lessons and culinary workshops to ballet and lacrosse teams. In previous years, I would eagerly await the arrival of the summer program guide, dedicating hours to perusing its pages, highlighting potential activities, and texting fellow parents to coordinate various camps, classes, and sports for my two boys. I would have set reminders for registration dates, ensuring I was online right when they opened. This often resulted in a hefty bill for everything from swimming lessons to art camps and flag football.
However, this year, the program guide has remained mostly untouched since its arrival over two months ago. I’ve flipped through it a few times and contemplated some options, but each time, I’ve put it back in the cupboard without making any commitments. Aside from a short extension class at my son’s school and spring baseball, I haven’t signed up for any summer activities. I recognize that these camps fill up quickly, and with each passing day, the likelihood of having nowhere to go in July and August increases – which, perhaps, is what I truly desire.
Initially, the idea of an unscheduled summer felt intimidating. For the past five years, summer camps and classes have kept my kids engaged, offered me a much-needed break, and facilitated new friendships for them. As a work-from-home mom, I relied on these structured activities to provide uninterrupted work hours during the summer. I feared my kids (and I) would be bored during two months of mostly free time.
Yet, that fear quickly transformed into a profound sense of relief, freedom, and excitement. We can embark on road trips, enjoy beach days, and invite friends over without worrying about conflicting schedules. With a pool pass, swimming lessons can happen at our convenience. Embracing a bit of boredom might even ignite new adventures and creative activities.
I understand that my family is fortunate to have the liberty to choose how we spend our summer and I don’t want to squander it with self-imposed obligations. Now that my boys are 5 and 8, we find ourselves in a sweet spot of parenting; they are old enough to play independently and with friends while still cherishing childhood joys like catching fireflies and playing capture the flag. Their sports activities are casual, not daily practices packed with competitions. Why rush into the frenzy of busyness that awaits us in the years to come?
So, my husband and I made a pact: fewer activities, more freedom. When I discussed our summer plans with the boys, I anticipated some pushback, but they responded with enthusiasm (albeit some questions). I explained that after their school extension class wraps up at the end of June, the only scheduled commitment would be one sports team for each of them – baseball for my older son and tee-ball for my younger one, both of which meet two nights a week. Our days would be open for lake trips, friend gatherings, or pool outings. I even suggested that we each keep a journal to document our summer adventures, and warned them that if they complained about boredom and came to me for ideas, they might not like my suggestions (like folding laundry or picking up dog poop).
I’m still uncertain how our unscheduled Summer of Freedom will unfold. It will likely involve more sibling squabbles and the occasional “time out” than I’d prefer. However, I hope it allows for bike rides, nature walks, and spontaneous visits to friends and family. I long to replace the obligation that defines the school year with a sense of possibility, even if just for a couple of months. I hope this experience teaches us all – especially me – to slow down and remember that we create our own world rather than merely responding to what it throws at us.
I see this summer as an experiment. Will it be a time of growth and creativity, or will I discover that, despite my desire for spontaneity, our family actually thrives on routine? And how long will it take before I lose my sanity, consider day drinking, and rummage through the trash for my discarded program guide in search of a single class – maybe basket weaving or croquet – that still has openings for a brief moment of peace?
I suppose we’ll find out soon enough.
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Summary:
This article discusses the shift from a structured summer filled with activities to a more spontaneous approach, focusing on the joys of unstructured time for both children and parents. It highlights the importance of freedom, creativity, and the potential for memorable experiences during summer break.