No guilt summer

Here's the thing. When I make all sorts of plans and promises with my kids, they hold me to it.

And when I say "hold me to it", I mean they beg and whine and cry if things don't go exactly as we planned. And they ask "is it time yet? is it time yet?" on the day of any plan. 

I don't do well with "summer bucket lists" or "summer activity charts". I don't know why, but I just don't. They give me anxiety and make me feel too much pressure. Sure, I like to give my kids fun things to look forward to, but I think last summer I had my expectations too high. I ended up feeling like I failed my kids at the end of the summer because we didn't go to the library every Monday and all the other stuff I envisioned.

So I decided this summer that we would make no plans. The Low Expectation/No Guilt Summer!

We would just enjoy the laid-back months and fly by the seat of our pants when we felt like it. Sure, we have a few things on the calendar, but for the most part we are wide open. 

Besides ... look how perfectly they get along! *wink*

I think back to my own childhood summers. My mom was around, sure, but she wasn't entertaining us every day. I basically played with friends, or my brothers, or by myself. It was unstructured.  It seems like most of my memories involve just playing with friends and finding something to do. Good old-fashioned fun.

So ... our summer is pretty chill with HOT temps hovering around 100 degrees! And the best part about no plans is when I tell the kids "ok we'll go to the splash pad (or whatever) once the living room is picked up!" You should see how quickly they move. 

Low expectations = less mom guilt!
Plus I think the kids are still perfectly happy.

How's your summer going?

Soccer

Max had his first soccer game tonight. He was thrilled, especially when he saw the jersey with his own number. He said "Yessssss! Number nine! I'm number NINE, mom!!" I didn't know that number had any significance, but I suppose it does now since it's his. And of course Ruby was there asking "why don't I get to play?" and when the after-game snack was handed out to the team, "why don't I get a snack?"... Rough night for little sis.

warming up

still warming up ... simon running onto the field. and can you spot the Y on the mountain?

After the game, Max drove home with David and the rest of us were in the other car. David told me that Max said "Did you hear when Mom said 'Go Max go?' I liked that." Awww. So cute!

We have just one full week of summer left at our house. I'm hoping to have the time and energy to sew in September! Back to school for the kids and back to sewing for mama. Yup, sounds like a plan.