Parenting
As a parent, my goal is to provide my children with a summer that mirrors the carefree days of my own childhood. Call it nostalgia or even a bit unrealistic, but I believe every child deserves a relaxed and enjoyable summer. I’m talking about those days filled with sun-soaked adventures—riding bikes, splashing in the neighbor’s pool, diving onto a Slip n’ Slide, and running through sprinklers. The kind of summer where popsicles drip down their chins as they eagerly await the ice cream truck, expending their youthful energy on grassy lawns.
To ensure my kids experience that kind of summer, I’m committed to avoiding the trap of overscheduling. You know those camp flyers that fill up your mailbox? I’m tossing them straight in the trash. And those endless activity announcements from school? Also going in the garbage. What type of summer would I be offering if I filled their days with a packed schedule? I see many parents opting for a calendar filled with soccer practice on Mondays, art classes Tuesdays, gymnastics Thursdays, and multiple week-long camps. Not for my family.
Summers should be a time for kids—and parents—to unwind. By overloading our children with activities, we deny them the freedom they crave after a demanding school year. With the rigorous academic demands placed on our children today, they’ve certainly earned this time off. And let’s not forget, parents deserve a break too. It’s time to give ourselves and our vehicles a respite from the constant shuttling between commitments.
This summer, my children will enjoy the same wide-open schedule they had last year. My son will attend a nature-themed camp for just one week, while his younger sister will lounge around with me. Beyond that, it’s a free-for-all. Mornings will find them racing to the neighbor’s house in their pajamas, playing with Legos or pretending in their make-believe world. In the evenings, we’ll gather around for bonfires, roasting marshmallows with nearby friends. Throughout the day, you can bet they’ll be outside in their swimsuits, gleefully darting between backyards.
If you also aspire to give your children a summer reminiscent of your own, consider discarding those activity flyers. Resist society’s pressure to keep kids busy with every possible endeavor. They don’t need that level of over-stimulation, and more importantly, they won’t remember it. What they will cherish are the summers spent with friends and family, nurturing relationships, and reveling in the warmth of the sun.
In preparation for this summer, I’m decisively throwing away those camp and activity flyers, paving the way for my children to create lasting memories of childhood: melting popsicles, joyful sprinkler runs, and exhilarating Slip n’ Slide dives.
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Summary:
In an effort to give my children a summer filled with freedom and joy, I am intentionally avoiding the overscheduling of activities. By prioritizing outdoor play, family time, and simple pleasures, I aim to recreate the nostalgic summers of my own youth while resisting societal pressures to fill our calendars.
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