As a parent, I find myself yearning to provide my children with a summer experience reminiscent of my own carefree childhood. Call it nostalgia or perhaps even a bit naïve, but I want my kids to enjoy a relaxed summer just like I did.
You know the kind of summer I’m talking about—the one filled with endless days of adventure from dawn till dusk? The summers where we rode our bikes, splashed in neighbor’s pools, raced down Slip n’ Slides, and dashed through sprinklers. Those glorious days of melting popsicles, the distant jingle of the ice cream truck, and running wild on grassy lawns. Those are the summers I want for my kids, but I know it requires a conscious effort to avoid overscheduling.
You know those camp flyers that flood our mailboxes? I’m throwing them straight into the recycling bin. Those endless summer activity notices from school? Into the trash they go! What kind of summer would it be if I constantly booked them with activities? I see so many parents enrolling their kids in Monday night soccer, Tuesday art classes, Thursday gymnastics, and even multiple week-long camps. No, thank you.
Summer is meant to be a break for kids—and honestly, for parents too. By overloading our schedules, we’re robbing them of the freedom they crave after a long school year. Let’s be honest: with the demands placed on our kids in school these days, they truly deserve a break. And as parents, we deserve it too. We should give ourselves, and our vehicles, a respite from shuttling kids from one event to the next.
This summer will mirror the last one: wide open and full of potential. My son will attend just one nature-themed camp for a week, while his little sister enjoys some quality time at home with me. Beyond that, it’s a free-for-all! Mornings will be spent with them racing to the neighbor’s house in their pajamas to play with Legos or pretend house. Evenings will bring neighbors over for bonfires and marshmallow roasting. Throughout the day, you’ll find my kids in their bathing suits, darting between yards, filled with laughter.
If you’re hoping to give your children a summer reminiscent of your own, toss those flyers in the trash. Resist society’s urge to over-schedule your kids with every available activity. They’ll be just fine without all that so-called enrichment. What they truly need, and will remember, are summers spent with friends and family, nurturing bonds, and basking in the sunshine.
So, as I prepare for this summer, I’m happily discarding all those camp and activity flyers. I want my kids to have memories that encapsulate childhood: sticky popsicles, sprinkler runs, and thrilling Slip n’ Slide dives. If you’re interested in more parenting insights, check out this excellent resource on the IVF process, or visit Modern Family Blog to explore various topics. And if you’re considering alternative routes to parenthood, take a look at our home insemination kit that can help your journey.
Summary
I’m determined to give my kids a summer filled with freedom and fun, free from the clutter of overscheduled activities. With just one camp for my son and plenty of time to play at home, I believe we can create cherished memories of a carefree childhood.