It's almost summer - do you know where you're children will be?
For those of us in Arizona, there is one more week left in the school year. Summer always leaves me with mixed feelings. I enjoy the more relaxed schedule. There is no homework, no basketball practice or music lessons. Everything slows down in my kids lives. Of course, the rhythm of work doesn't change so life is a little more lopsided -busy at work, quiet at home.
When my kids were younger, I struggled to fill their summer days with interesting and educational activities. Since they were never interested in going away to summer camp, we did a lot of day camps. When they were little and we had a nanny, life was simple. I did feel a lot of longing to be with them in the park and enjoy those lazy summer afternoons eating ice cream and just strolling around. Notice I said longing and not guilt. I knew that the kids were perfectly happy without me and that my absence wasn't marring their childhood. I just would have preferred to be outside with them instead of in my office.
As they got a little older and we moved away from our nanny, filling the summer days with activities got a lot more complicated. Every week was a different camp and then there were play dates to fill in the gaps. When the school year re-commenced, it was actually a relief.
The highlight of every summer for me is the family vacation. We take a two week trip every summer. Generally, we go somewhere far away because I have lots of American Airline miles burning a hole in my virtual pocket. I love travelling with my sons. In my view, it is terrific education for them. They see how other people live, they hear different languages and learn a little about the history and customs of others. My goal is to make them citizens of the world - young men who know that people are people everywhere and all people deserve the same respect. We'll see how that plan works.
What are your plans for the summer? Do you find it to be a time you re-connect with your kids or are your kids away all summer? Do you re-connect with your significant other? Or is summer just like the rest of the year only warmer?
Post your response or write to me at barrett@barrettavigdor.com.
When my kids were younger, I struggled to fill their summer days with interesting and educational activities. Since they were never interested in going away to summer camp, we did a lot of day camps. When they were little and we had a nanny, life was simple. I did feel a lot of longing to be with them in the park and enjoy those lazy summer afternoons eating ice cream and just strolling around. Notice I said longing and not guilt. I knew that the kids were perfectly happy without me and that my absence wasn't marring their childhood. I just would have preferred to be outside with them instead of in my office.
As they got a little older and we moved away from our nanny, filling the summer days with activities got a lot more complicated. Every week was a different camp and then there were play dates to fill in the gaps. When the school year re-commenced, it was actually a relief.
The highlight of every summer for me is the family vacation. We take a two week trip every summer. Generally, we go somewhere far away because I have lots of American Airline miles burning a hole in my virtual pocket. I love travelling with my sons. In my view, it is terrific education for them. They see how other people live, they hear different languages and learn a little about the history and customs of others. My goal is to make them citizens of the world - young men who know that people are people everywhere and all people deserve the same respect. We'll see how that plan works.
What are your plans for the summer? Do you find it to be a time you re-connect with your kids or are your kids away all summer? Do you re-connect with your significant other? Or is summer just like the rest of the year only warmer?
Post your response or write to me at barrett@barrettavigdor.com.
Summer is a time to get reacquainted with my three boys. As a full time mom and a part time advanced practice nurse, I am always on the run. When my boys were younger I filled up their summer days with activities and camps to keep them out of the hot Arizona sun and away from the TV and xbox. Now at ages 16, 14 and 13 they don't need me to keep them scheduled, it is their sports activities that seem to keep them off the streets and out of trouble. I am very blessed - my three sons are great kids. My oldest is now driving and a heated discussion ensued about summer curfew. He was furious that I that I wanted to limit his evening activities. Explaining to him that I am not a nice person when I don't get my 7 hours of sleep didn't seem to register. Nor did the fact that I have adjusted my summer schedule to start at 6am and be home by 1pm ( I am fortunate to be able to adjust my hours as I see fit). I threw the question out to a few trusted friends on email. Most agreed that week night curfew should be earlier than weekend curfew. My plan is this: 10:30 on weeknights and 11:30 on weekends. We will see how it works out. Curious to hear how other working moms handle summer/teenagers and curfew!!
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Thanks for your comment. I agree that 10:30 weekdays and 11:30 weekends seems like a reasonable curfew for a 16 year old. We are trying to strike the right balance between giving them some freedom but also reminding them that they are still accountable to us. Then there is, as you say, the sleep factor. Teenagers may be able to sleep late or take a nap after an early practice but a working mom has to get up early to go to work regardless of how late she stayed up waiting for her teenager to come home. Good for you for reminding them!
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