The Unbusy Summer – Part Three
July 15, 2009 by Marci
Its already half way through July! Can you believe it? I about fell over when I started seeing back-to-school ads and I got my Lands End back-to-school catalog last week. We are really enjoying the lazy days of summer.
Over the weekend, I heard a couple of moms talking about school starting in just a few weeks. A look of terror came over one of the moms. “Oh my goodness! And we haven’t done anything this summer! The kids have just gone to a couple vacation bible schools and to the pool and their baseball games and a short family trip and a couple day trips, but other than that we haven’t done anything!” What? Seriously? What a summer vacation! When I walked away from the conversation, the moms were busy planning what they could do to occupy those last few weeks of their kids’ time. God forbid they should get bored and have to figure out something to do on their own.
While I really wanted to, I didn’t want to offer any advice. They were way too into their panic. What I wanted to say was, “How about letting kids be kids? Let them play in the backyard. Let them get bored. Boredom can be a great precursor to creativity.” I actually felt sorry for their kids. What happens to kids who lead such scheduled lives when they get older? I just wonder.
I have to admit, the Unbusy Summer was an experiment for us, but it had worked out great! We are all happy and not bored at all (at least not for long). We have done enough activities and gone enough places that we don’t feel like we’ve been stuck at home, but we don’t feel like we are gone all the time either.
This week, the kids are at the grandparents for a few days. I have a to-do list that I plan to work through slowly. I picked the top 2 projects that I want to accomplish. If I get to any others, great. If not, great. So far today, I slept in, read a couple blogs, read a book outside, cleaned out my daughter’s room and taped it for painting tomorrow and cleaned the bathrooms. Its mid afternoon, so I’ll probably get a few more things done or I might go for a bike ride. Its the unbusy summer. I don’t want to get tied down.
How is your summer going?
Comments (4)
this week is VBS so I’ve taken the opportunity to hang out with friends a couple of the days and to catch up on my cleaning the others.
To cool it is working out with this summer! We have been the same way around here! Thanks for sharing!!
Now have a good few days to yourself!!
I just love your life philosphy that it doesn’t need to be perfect, you don’t need to be scheduled all the time, and that a relaxed attitude keeps you sane. I am so reading your posts each day to remind myself that it is okay to take a moment and accomplish nothing. Thanks! Abbie
I agree wholeheartedly! When I was a kid our days weren’t scheduled up, we just played and played and played. AND I LOVED summer! This summer has been a good one and I’m glad to hear that yours has too