Pros and Cons of Summer Break

This is our first summer experiencing a true “summer break” as parents.  With E moving from Kindergarten to First grade, it feels like the summer breaks we remember as kids.  Up till now, I didn’t really notice summer as a break in the year or as a time to slow down.  Life just went on….kids went to the same place for care year round.

But now that we’re officially a month into summer break, I can definitely tell the difference and I’ve established that there are definitely pro’s and con’s to the summer break. So let’s break it down…tell me if you can relate to any of these…

+ No morning routine

No rushing to get them to school on time.  During summer, it feels more like before when the only schedule we’re working against is my work schedule.  I LOVE not having their school schedule to compete with!

– As a working mom, I feel like I’m missing out more than normal

Knowing that the kids are home with an excellent sitter doing excellent things makes me realize I’m missing out on the days when they can truly just be a kid.  Missing out on the water fights and the pool days and the messy Popsicle faces.  All of it.  Luckily there are weekends.

+ No making lunches

E chose very early on to take his lunch.  Have I told you how much I HATE having to do this?  The silver lining is that I knew he was eating well but all the sunday prep and daily practice of packing it was just one more thing to make the mornings more chaotic.

– Working From Home is more challenging

When the kids were in school I could quietly work from home without distraction.  Now that they are home all day I try to avoid working from home.  Luckily, I have a nice work environment so going in isn’t so bad.

+ Sleeping in and Staying up late

The day started and ended with stress during the school year.  Did I wake them up in time?  Did they get ready in time?  and at night… Did I get them in bed in time?  Did they get their bath?  Did we read books?  All of it.  In the summer, they get to sleep in as long and I get to slip out for work without having to tend to them at all.  We can go to a later dinner and enjoy splash pads at 8:00 at night! It’s a beautiful thing.

-Missing school friends

E has a good group of friends and all the school functions meant we got to see their parents a lot.  With summer spreading everyone out in different directions, it feels harder to get together.

+ Late night runs

There is NOTHING better than running into the sunset.  The colors, the smell of summer and the enjoyment of knowing the day is winding down.  I love it.

– More Laundry

E goes to a school where they wear uniforms so I know exactly what he’s gonna wear in a given day.  During the summer it seems that they are going through more clothes than usual or we are as a collective family.  Either way, there is ALWAYS a basket of clean clothes sitting around waiting to be folded (my most hated chore, followed closely by emptying the dishwasher).

+ Cardinal baseball

Sure it’s better if they are winning but the ballpark is so magical to them.  It’s fun experiencing it through their eyes.  E is really into baseball this year so he’s actually watching the game, asking questions, and cheering on his favorite players.  It’s pretty darn cute.  Winning or losing, St. Louis is a pretty special baseball town.

+ Hammock Season

My kids know that I LOVE my hammock.  I love it like a guy loves his recliner.  It’s my place.  A glass of wine, a summer breeze and a little music on the speakers and I’m a HAPPY clam.  I don’t always get to enjoy it alone and that’s ok.

Well, there’s the world as I see it right now.

Do you feel any of these on your summer break?  What pros and cons do you have?