As summer rolls in, I’ve decided to dedicate a full 100% of my efforts to my kids. Not a smidgen more, not a fraction less. Just a straight-up 100%.
On a typical day, this commitment will break down something like this:
I’ll rise before dawn, relishing the quiet solitude that I know will quickly vanish. But, lo and behold, despite my ninja-like attempts to sneak out of bed, one of my little ones will inevitably decide that 5:30 AM is the perfect time to start a conversation. I’ll spend 5% of my energy wondering why, on school days, it’s a Herculean task to get them out of bed before 8:20, yet today they’re wide awake, eager to chat.
Next, I’ll devote 1% of myself trying to convince them that it’s too early for chit-chat. Then, 7% will go into whipping up homemade pancakes—some with chocolate chips, which means I’ll need an extra 1% to resist the temptation to snack on them straight from the bag.
Following breakfast, 8% will be spent mediating a dispute over the last pancake, while another 2% will go to figuring out how syrup managed to get everywhere. I’ll devote 6% to answering their relentless “What’s on the agenda today?” questions and 2% to chuckling at my earlier notion of squeezing in a shower.
4% will go towards checking the weather and deciding a trip to the pool is in order.
So far, so good—we’re headed to the pool! I’ll spend 5% searching for clean towels (why didn’t I do laundry last night?!), 1% vowing to be more organized, and another 4% hunting down goggles, floaties, and sunscreen. I’ll allocate 3% to gathering snacks and another 3% to filling five water bottles with ice-cold water. Finally, I’ll spend 2% yelling for everyone to get into the car.
At this point, I’ve already invested 53% of my energy—and it’s just 11:30 AM.
Once at the pool, I’ll have no choice but to dedicate a full 5% to ensuring everyone stays safe and sunburn-free. After our fun in the sun, I’ll again spend 2% yelling to get back in the car.
During the ride home, the word “Mom!” will echo from the backseat repeatedly, and I’ll expend a whole 10% grappling with the realization that I’m the one who taught them to say it. I’ll spend 1% trying to suppress the urge to cover my ears.
When we return home, I’ll use 2% to instruct everyone to put their wet clothes and towels in the bathroom, followed by another 2% picking up the mess they left behind.
Around 4:30 PM, I’ll suddenly remember dinner needs to be addressed. I will spend 5% rummaging through the cabinets and fridge for something edible. I’ll allocate 2% to the bright idea of prepping meals ahead of time, followed by 1% in the stark realization that this plan will likely remain just that—a plan.
3% will go to surveying the chaotic state of the house, quickly followed by 4% convincing one of the kids to cuddle with me on the couch while I scroll through social media. I’ll spend 3% wrestling the most stubborn kids into the bath, then 4% persuading them that brushing their teeth is crucial for avoiding cavities. Finally, I’ll invest 2% in the inevitable battle of “It’s bedtime, now!”
And my last 1% will be spent drifting off next to one of them in the world’s tiniest toddler bed.
That’s my daily routine—100% devoted to my kids, no exceptions.
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Summary
This article outlines a humorous yet relatable take on a parent’s daily commitment to their children during the summer. It breaks down the various ways a parent gives their all, including early mornings, meal preparations, and keeping the kids entertained while managing household chaos.