From The Confessional: The Good News — Summer’s Here! The Bad News — Summer’s Here!

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Summer has officially arrived! Hooray! This means we can finally take a break from the never-ending homework battles with our kids, ease up on those strict bedtimes, and hopefully enjoy some much-needed sunshine after a year of being cooped up.

However, there’s a flip side. Summer also means our kids are underfoot all day long, with seemingly no plans or activities to keep them occupied. Should we sign them up for those pricey camps that stretch our budget? Are those camps even safe this year? Do we stress over their screen time, or just throw our hands up and relish the quiet moments? And let’s not forget the sticky humidity, the pesky bugs, and the ongoing debates over sunscreen application or who gets to devour the last orange popsicle. By the end of August—or perhaps even by the end of June—we might find ourselves ready to wave goodbye to summer.

Here are some candid thoughts from fellow parents who are both excited for the summer and apprehensive about it.

Today, I realized summer break is just around the corner, and there are still no activities available in my area. I’ll be stuck at home, trying to work while keeping my daughter entertained…again. I’ve been holding back tears all day.
Confessional #25834122

I truly wish my husband would return to the office this summer.
Confessional #25836615

Last year, all I wanted was normalcy. This year, I just want some peace and quiet!
Confessional #25836017

My kids are anxious about the new no-mask rules. They’re old enough to be concerned about COVID but too young to get vaccinated (yet). We all know the unvaccinated won’t wear masks. Here’s to another summer of COVID at home.
Confessional #25832585

Excited to dive into pandemic summer #2! cries Many parents are still working from home, and tons of kids’ activities haven’t reopened yet. We all need to figure out what to do with our kids for June, July, and August. Wheeeeee.
Confessional #25835866

My son, who has ADHD, got kicked out of summer camp. Again. I thought we had moved past this. I feel so angry, embarrassed, and ashamed. Why can’t we figure this out? Why doesn’t therapy help?
Confessional #25834132

We’re stretched thin trying to give our two kids three weeks of sleepaway camp. How do regular families afford this? Some kids are at camp for the entire summer! I want to create memories for them before they grow up and won’t appreciate it anymore.
Confessional #25834132

A friend’s soap company also sells quirky shirts. I just realized I’m wearing “A clean beaver gets more wood” to pick up my daughter from church camp. And I’m not changing because it’s scorching outside!
Confessional #25385167

I decided against signing my kids up for camps this summer, thinking we’d enjoy some freedom and relaxation! I won’t be making that mistake again…
Confessional #25225898

Then there’s the stress of camps. The pressure to enroll your kids, even when it’s not in your budget, the uncertainty of safety, and the frustration when plans fall through. Plus, showing up to church camp in an inappropriate t-shirt about beavers? (It’s all good; Jesus loves beavers.)

I usually find being a stay-at-home parent fulfilling, but during the summer, I nearly lose my mind.
Confessional #25835730

Three days left until school is out, and I’m already overwhelmed. I don’t want to be a summer camp director and referee any longer—I’ve done it for 15 years, and I’m so over it. My husband doesn’t get it. I work full time too and come home after a 12-hour shift, expected to provide entertainment.
Confessional #25833815

My kids can be a handful, and I’m not looking forward to summer because of it! I love them, but it only takes 10 minutes of them being home for me to wish they were back in school!
Confessional #25833168

I find myself struggling to engage with my kids without school or summer camp. Instead, they spend most of their day on electronics while I try to focus on work. I feel like such a failure.
Confessional #25790651

As a stay-at-home mom, putting my kids in summer camps all day isn’t financially feasible. But being an introvert, I love them dearly, yet being around them constantly makes me crabby and irritable.
Confessional #25091077

For many moms, summer can be downright overwhelming. The expectation to be a cruise director of fun is exhausting. You want to cherish these fleeting summers while your kids are young, but sometimes you just count down the days until school starts again.

I’ve planned a jam-packed summer full of activities. I need the distraction from my depression, and this seems like a good fit.
Confessional #25835185

I struggle with summer anxiety. My daughter once had a serious tick-borne illness, skin cancer runs in my family, and I was pregnant during the Zika outbreak. I worry excessively about the safety of bug spray and sunscreen and whether I’m using them correctly. I just want to relax.
Confessional #25834874

The office doesn’t reopen until the end of August. I can’t believe I’ll spend another summer working from home with my husband and three teenage stepdaughters. On one hand, they could wreck the place if we go out, but on the other, my anxiety skyrockets with them around.
Confessional #25834160

You might be surprised to know that summer is a peak time for mental health struggles among many. Or maybe not, because you might be one of the moms dealing with this.

My best memories come from summer, yet I also dread it.
Confessional #25832749

I adore spring and summer and want to spend more time outdoors, but I can’t stand the bugs!
Confessional #25830725

I can’t wait for summer, but I’m terrified of wearing a swimsuit due to my bikini line issues. It’s discolored, bumpy, and sensitive, and those swimsuits with skirts look like granny suits! Help!
Confessional #25828027

I complain in winter because I dislike the snow, and I complain in summer because I loathe yard work. I can never seem to be satisfied.
Confessional #25827812

Ultimately, many of us have come to understand that we have a complicated love-hate relationship with summer. We cherish those late movie nights, swimming, and beach days. Yet, we also dislike how cranky the kids get after late nights, how much effort it takes to enjoy a beach day, and the scorching heat as soon as we step outside.

But summer is here for the next couple of months—like it or not. Let’s hope this summer is a bit better than last year. For those of you who are vaxxed and ready to roll, things are looking up! For more insights on navigating parenting, check out this blog post or learn from the experts at Make A Mom about your fertility journey. Another excellent resource for pregnancy and home insemination can be found here.

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In summary, summer brings both excitement and challenges for parents. While we cherish the carefree days and outdoor fun, we also grapple with the stress of keeping kids entertained and the various worries that come with the season.


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