Some friends were discussing summer routines and it got me curious.
Here in Utah it is pretty much the play all day, come home when the streetlights turn on, get really tan with all the outdoor time-type of summer that rules the day. We swim. We go to parades. We jump on the trampoline. I'd say we eat watermelon, but Darwin is allergic. Basically we have that "all-American-summer." Maybe it is because there are so many stay-at-home moms. Probably.
Granted, we have a little structure. Hannah had a reading class in June/early July. Michael has scouts. McKay has his speech stuff. Michael, McKay and Hannah have piano. So, there is practice for piano, badges to be worked on, speech stuff to practice, reading to work on, etc. Of course there are bedrooms and the playroom to be cleaned.
But otherwise, their schedules are generally wide open. And, I will admit, with the sun not going down until 10 pm, the kids can be seen out playing until 8:45 usually. They need a bath every morning almost due to the dirt and sweat and sidewalk chalk and various other summer grimies.
I think it has been a good thing for the kids, overall. A break from the constant routine. McKay has sort of had a chance to regroup and get re-energized on the school front. He seemed like he was getting worn out and it was affecting his school focus.
But then I am hearing more and more about summer camps, and sports camps, and music camps, and classes and such all day for kids during the summer. I had never considered this kind of summer. I can see where this would be a need if both parents were working. And the kids probably do have a lot of fun. But it doesn't seem to be the situation where I live. The lazy summer days are the way of life here.
So, what is it like where you live? What were your summers like as a kid? Are these free-for-all summers coming to an end? Is that a good thing or not?
5 comments:
Rachel, I wish my kids had the summers that your kids do. Because we're in the middle of town, we have to go walk somewhere in order for them to do much playing outside. Because we don't have much of a backyard - just a parking lot - they can only do bikes and scooters and stuff. Because we're in the type of town we are, and not in a residential area, there are only two other children that they can play with. That free-for-all summer IS at an end in some places, and unfortunately we're in one of them, so count your blessings! :)
Also, I had part of the whole "camp" experience growing up, and while a few weeks a summer (or even just one special one) can be completely awesome, I would think it would be exhausting and boring to do the whole-summer camp thing. I've seen the YMCA camps up close, and the instructors enjoy the kids, but it's just like a job for them: they can't wait to get home, and most of them don't really have a clue as to what they're doing. lol So do your homework, there. I went to a special Bible camp for one week, every summer, and it changed my life for the better, so it is possible! lol
It's interesting, as your children grow, the free-for-all outside-all-day summers dwindle. There are still late-night games, trampoline jumping & running thru sprinklers, popsicles on the front porch or back lawn... but their tastes/interests change and that brings them back inside. There's make-up & hair that "can't" mess up. There are books to read, declarations of "it's too hot!", an unwillingness to sweat, and a general appreciation for air conditioning that they totally ignored when they were younger.
We have some structure (read as: requirements) that determines our mornings pretty much - breakfast, clean rooms, brush teeth & hair, scripture reading, dog time, exercise - but the afternoons are free until Screen Time.
FYI - Screen Time is my kids' currency. It's what matters most to them right now. XBox, computer, TV, GameBoy - they all have screens & they only get 2 hours each day. It's during the hottest part of the day, so that's good, but it's SO not the summer I remember. Still, they're willing to earn it & so I'm willing to give it. I'm still nostalgic for "the old way" summers used to be, not just for my kids but also for me.
Summers to me mean everyting you've listed & more. Climbing trees, water balloon fights, laying on the hot sidewalk to dry off & warm your water-cold bodies, neighborhood BBQ's, visitors from far away, sunsets, staying up too late, spitting watermelon seeds, sticky faces & fingers (even toes, when the popsicles drip)...all that great stuff. Family time, relaxing, no set plans, filthy feet & freckles, tan skin & blond hair.
Girls Camp & Scout camps happen during summer and they're wonderful for a week at a time, but overall I'm not a fan of organizing their summers. They get plenty of that during the school year (often too much of that!). I'm not messing with summer.
I know times are a'changin', but I'm still holding on to the free-for-all, "Norman Rockwell" summers - FOR ALWAYS.
Our summer is pretty much like yours. The only regularly scheduled activities are karate and swim lessons. We usually have family visit in July. Jonathan practices his reading, and he's really into earning money and counting it so there's his math. And that's about it.
This summer, we've been VERY low-key. M's had OT and counseling, but other than that, they are free. We even decided not to send M to summer school, because we felt he needed a real break to recharge and relax. Not nearly as many kids, but the couple down the street have been GREAT.
Oh I'm so glad you guys get a break! Those cute boys deserve it! 10 months working hard in school! Wow! I sure do miss your cute boys though!
Love, Mrs. Cameron
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