Summer productivity? Isn't that an oxymoron?

When Luke was a preschooler, I viewed the approaching summer, with its yawning spans of Luke's-not-in-preschool, with premature fatigue. As much as I loved the sun (Portland summers are like a three-month party because the weather here's often so dreary), just thinking about summer made me tired.

Something has shifted. Luke is 6 1/2 and Mimi's almost 3, and I am loving summer more than I ever have. I feel more relaxed, less tired, and generally happier than I did during those last two months of school. The house is cleaner, I'm blogging more, I'm more energetic...all this while keeping summer-busy with the kids. We're swimming, we're going to shows, we're reading, we're playing with buddies, we're working in the garden, we're traveling. We've got a list of activities we plan to check off this summer. We're having fun every day.

I think it's because I've been liberated from the school year grind. The relentless schedule, where we have to eat dinner on time so the bath is on time so they're in bed on time so they can get up in time to get to school on time. I had no idea how much that took out of me.

I'll never be one of those moms who always seems to keep all the balls in the air. But we sure are having a good summer. I hope you are, too.

Comments

[Anjali]

What a great post, I couldn't agree more. I often feel like I'm the only stay-at-home parent in my neighborhood that hasn't signed my kids up for camp, lessons, classes, etc. But I love being free from a schedule -- it's what caused me to quit my job in the first place.

[Jill Urbane, The Mentor Mom]

Good for you! I as well make a conscious effort NOT to schedule any activities (sports, piano lessons, etc.) so that we don't have to look at the calandar...there will be enough of that come September. Love your blog!

[Whitney]

I love hearing this stuff from moms of big kids, because I keep thinking that when babyhood is over, I won't be a mom anymore and I'll be sad. You have reminded me that it will be fun!