Yes, you read that correctly. I’m diving into the world of summer planning—sending payments to day camps, completing health forms, and arranging playdates and vacations. I want my kids enrolled in as many activities as possible during their summer break. Otherwise, when the first day of school rolls around, I might find myself unkempt, wearing the same pajamas I had on for Memorial Day weekend.
I crave structure. Knowing what we’ll be doing each day keeps me sane. While spontaneity can be delightful, I can’t depend solely on last-minute plans to get through the upcoming months at home. Without a compelling reason to leave the house in the morning—preferably one that involves spending money—I find that we barely venture outside. At my core, I enjoy being home, and it’s all too easy for me to become a recluse when there’s no pressing need to step out.
This isn’t just for my kids’ benefit. They love being home, surrounded by their toys, favorite snacks, and Netflix, their best friend. Honestly, they seem to prefer staying in their pajamas all day.
But the schedule is primarily for me. Yes, I enjoy those comforts, but I also need to interact with other adults. I long for conversations with friends or even the brief exchanges with the cashier at the grocery store. By enrolling my kids in activities around the area, I carve out time to connect with other grown-ups—allowing us to celebrate another day of survival together. It also motivates me to maintain my hygiene before my spouse arrives home in the evening. Establishing a routine is essential to tackle even the simplest tasks because, left to my own devices, I’m just as adept at managing time as my four-year-old.
It’s similar to how, back in college, the responsible you would make plans to keep the party animal you in check. You’d jot down your buddy’s number on your arm so they could rescue you when you made questionable choices after one too many drinks.
That’s effectively what I’m doing now. I’m the “Spring Me” who makes all the arrangements to ensure that “Summer Me” doesn’t spend three months living in workout clothes without exercising or hiding in my bedroom while my kids wreak havoc in the kitchen. “Spring Me” is in charge of ensuring that “Summer Me” doesn’t sign up for the summer reading program at the library only to end up with fines that would earn me a permanent spot in the self-help section.
As the fall approaches and I rush through stores gathering the endless back-to-school supplies that go beyond just “pencil and paper,” it may feel like a never-ending cycle. But at least it’s not the end of a summer spent binge-watching Netflix on the couch, munching on Cheetos with the curtains drawn shut, losing track of time. Although that does sound tempting—I’ll make sure to pencil in a few days of that fun as well!
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In summary, scheduling my kids’ summer activities is not just about keeping them engaged; it’s also about ensuring I maintain my sanity and social connections. The right balance can make all the difference in navigating the summer months.