We are only in the first week of summer and I am already feeling the pressure to make this summer fun for the kids weighing down on me. Sure, I want to have some fun, but the reality of it is life goes on, even though school doesn’t. The house still needs to be cleaned. The laundry still needs to be washed. Do the kids need to be entertained 24/7? It certainly feels that way.
The pressure to have a fun and eventful summer is all around us. Facebook. Instagram. Pinterest. And probably other social platforms I’m not cool enough to be on. I’m guilty of putting my summer adventures out there on social media. I’ve posted filtered images of pools, smiling kids, and fun trips to various places. I’ve taken multiple shots to get the sunlight shining just right or the kids both smiling and looking at the camera. I am by no means suggesting we stop posting. But can we also be real? Can we be honest about the mess of our house, the ice cream on our shirts, the boredom for your kids, and lets face it, you too. No one wants to air their dirty laundry for the world to see. I’m not suggesting that at all! What I really want is for each of us to look at our friend’s pictures and smile, laugh, long to be at the beach with them, or even be a little jealous that they’re on vacation and you’re at home, but then turn around and be content and satisfied for exactly what is around you.
Me and my filtering McFiltery pool picture.
There is an expectation we should be crafting, swimming, making homemade bubbles and slime, sipping tea and eating summer themed treats(made from scratch and also organic), planning our dream vacations, all while making summer bucket lists and things to tell your kids to do when they say they’re bored. At least that is what it looks like to me every time I get online. It makes me feel a little less than adequate too. Let’s be honest here. My kids spend a lot of time in front of the TV in summer. They swim, and ride bikes and play with friends outside, but the days are long and hot and I don’t blame them for wanting to watch show after show. If I planned a craft the sigh from them would be loud enough to hear in Texas. We eat PB & J, Lunchables, and Velveeta Shells and Cheese. We don’t make cake that looks like the beach complete with graham cracker “sand.” There is nothing wrong with crafting with your kids or preparing them fun and delicious (and nutritious) food. I do all of those things from time to time, but I don’t want to try to fill three months that way.
Even though I normally don’t compare myself or my routine to anyone else, something about the pressure to a)not have your kids kill each other b) not kill your kids c) keep the whining and complaining to a manageable amount, brings out the discontentment in me. I don’t even really know what happens in my house. We home school for Pete’s sake! We are literally home everyday, all year. Then comes the mention of the word summer and it is like they don’t know what to do with themselves. And I don’t know what to do with them. And then we start talking about wanting to have fun. It’s a perfect storm for shattered dreams and the most feared words of “I’m bored” as we stare at each other from across the messy kitchen from our house filled to the brim with things they could do. I know I could totally do school year round, but then I would be sitting in a padded room somewhere grading imaginary papers and reciting multiplication facts. I need to break.
More than anything, I don’t want this feeling of discontent to be the sign of a bigger problem in me or my kids. I want to raise them to be happy with what the good Lord has blessed them with. I want them to know that whatever they have, wherever they are, the fun is there too. It doesn’t have to be big or flashy or cost one red cent. Being with your family can be fun, looking at clouds in the sky can be fun, reading a book, riding a bike, watching TV (am I right?) can be fun. I don’t want them to feel like they have to have more, or bigger and better things, or bigger and more fun and thrilling experiences to enjoy life. I want them to find joy in the simple things. I want to find joy in the simple things.
So my goal this year is to stop trying to create the perfect summer, let the kids figure it out when they feel bored, and enjoy the simple joys of childhood. I’ll still post when we do venture out for fun, but I’ll also try and post less filtered pool pictures and more of what my summer is really like. #realsummer2016
