Summer. That magical time of the year when the sun stays out past bedtime, ice cream and popsicles become a major food group, and parents everywhere hear the dreaded words: “I’m bored.”
The beginning of summer is less about solstices and more about schedules suddenly disappearing into a swirl of snacks, sunscreen, and sand. For many families, it marks the end of lunch-packing marathons, forgotten permission slips, and last-minute science fair catastrophes. School is out- and ready or not, the kids are home.
Freedom (and Chaos) Begins
That first day without a school schedule is glorious! Even for, or maybe especially for, my fellow homeschool moms. Summer brings a looser, happier rhythm. Breakfast can be had in Pjs, math homework is replaced by lemonade stands, bike rides, and slightly questionable “science experiments” involving soda and mentos.
And then the realization sets in: your children are home for weeks. Possibly months. With limitless energy and nothing to distract them.
Making Memories (and Messes)
Summer with kids is delightfully unpredictable. One day you’re building sandcastles; the next you’re peeling melted crayons off the backseat of the car. But in between the messes live the best memories! Sprinkler parties on the trampoline, late night s’mores around a fire pit, family and friend’s movie nights where no one agrees on a popcorn flavor.
There’s magic in the everyday chaos- moments where everyone is laughing (or screaming) at the same time. It’s loud, it’s sticky, it’s a little sunburned, but totally unforgettable!
Vaca Mode: Activated
Whether you’re planning a big trip or mastering the art of the staycation, summer has a way of nudging families closer together. Road trips filled with off-key singing, beach days with enough gear to start a small expedition, and spontaneous ice cream runs become the highlight reel of childhood… and parenting.
Of course, no summer Vaca is complete without at least one roadside bathroom emergency, a forgotten swimsuit, or a cooler of snacks no one actually wants. But hey, that’s part of the adventure, right?!
Here’s to the Season Ahead
So as the school doors close and the flip-flops come out of hiding, lets embrace the beginning of summer in all its sunny, silly glory. There will be noise, there will be bickering and some boredom, and enough sand in the car to start your own beach- but there will also be belly laughs, late night stories, and the kind of memories that last long after the tan lines fade.
Here’s to family time, spontaneous fun, and finding popsicle sticks in the couch cushions until Fall. Happy summer!
Mom’s Summer Essentials!
