Every year in May, as the school year winds down and summer approaches, I start planning my summer projects. I think to myself, "It'll just be me and the kids, with all this free time. Now I can finally get some things done around the house." I start making lists that look something like this:
- Paint baseboards
- Clean out closets
- Organize the pantry
- Finish planting that one bare patch in the backyard
- Do some fabulous thrift store furniture makeovers
- Teach the kids to chew with their mouths closed
I brainstorm all the supplies and materials I'll need, pin a bunch of inspiration to my Pinterest boards, and get excited about how much I'm going to get accomplished this summer.
Then I wake up halfway through June and realize, "What was I thinking? It's just me and the kids, all day, everyday. How did I think I was going to get anything done?"
This is the reality of summer with kids. To all you homeschoolers out there, I tip my hat. How do you do this all year long? How do you get anything accomplished, other than the monumental and worthy task of educating your children?
I love my kids and want them to have great, happy, memorable summers. But that takes a lot of work, and at their ages, a lot of direct involvement from me. You'd think I'd have learned this by now, and planned a little more realistically.
But no, I go on happily and optimistically making plans before the summer, and then throwing away my list halfway through, feeling a vague sense of failure that I haven't accomplished everything (or anything) on my list.
This year, I'm going to do it differently. Sure, I already made and threw away the list. But this year I'm not going to feel bad about it. Instead I'm going to use my few free moments productively, by brainstorming projects and ideas for the fall. Then I'll feel like I'm getting something accomplished, even while being available to my kids.
After all, there should be no room for feelings of failure when you're watching your kids collect roly-polies in the backyard or cheering on their olympic effort at gymnastics class.
You may remember a while ago I converted a coat closet into a pantry. I was pretty proud of myself for that one, but it turns out pantries don't stay organized on their own. (Well, maybe mine would if I was the only one using it, but unfortunately, other family members want to eat too.) So it's time to give it a refresh, and since I've already got the basics in place, it should be a quick and easy project.
So now I'm still an optimist, still happily making lists and feeling sure I'll get everything done...once school starts. Problem is, once school starts, I don't really want to spend my days painting baseboards, so my list looks a little more like this:
- Organize the pantry
- Do some fabulous thrift store furniture makeovers
- Write a book
- Learn gymnastics (Those little kids make it look like so much fun!)
- Remember to pick my kids up from school every day (not sayin' how this one made the list.)
Sounds do-able, right?
Wishing you a happy and productive (at least with the important things) Summer!
jacquiegum says
Can't wait to see how that list evolves come fall Meredith! It's ambitious (other than remembering to pick up your kids!!) for sure. Write a book...maybe that should be the only thing on that list!! Simply because it is a huge and challenging project:) Have a fun summer with the kids:)
Meredith says
Me too, Jacquie! I have a feeling your right about the book. Although, it's been on my list already for two years, so we'll see if I get any farther (like starting on it) this fall. 🙂
Erica says
I can't imagine taking on the responsibility of homeschooler. I think I would always worry that I was screwing it up!
I think you should definitely learn gymnastics. And definitely take pictures so you can blog about it!
Meredith says
I feel the same way Erica, it would be a lot of responsibility! And if I do take up gymnastics there will be no pictures!
Donna Janke says
Well, your list looks more fun than painting baseboards, but still a challenge. If only pantries and other closets stayed organized on their own!
Meredith says
Wouldn't that be nice, Donna!
Leora says
Hm, my daughter is home more than she has been in past summers. As she is now thirteen, I'm wondering if I could do that bathroom wall painting along with her? Of course, I already have work, and it's not to paint my bathroom wall. I like hearing about your wanting to spend time with your kids and do some project brainstorming as well. Good luck!
Meredith says
I started painting my own room when I was 12, I bet your daughter would be a big help! Here's to getting our kids involved in our creative projects!
Jeri Walker (@JeriWB) says
My best friend is an art teacher, but for a long time, she stayed at home and homeschooled all four of her kids (three girls and a boy). I don't know how she did it either, but she's an excellent teacher and mother, and she still finds time to tend a huge garden and take care of a menagerie of farm animals too.
Meredith says
Wow, those kind of people amaze me. It's all I can do to get dinner on the table, much less grow it first!
Phoenicia says
As women, we put far too much pressure on ourselves to do everything. Then feel guilty when we are unable to.
Sometimes we just need to throw out our plans and enjoy the moment. I struggle with this as I am a born organiser who likes things in place.
Meredith says
I agree Phoenicia! There's got to be a better way to do a little of both, but not have to be the best at everything. Let me know when you find it! 🙂
Beth Niebuhr says
Oh yes, I remember those summers when my children were growing up. Not much time to get projects done. One summer though, we joined a swim club and I spent several hours watching the kids and talking to the other moms at the pool and I knit and entire kingsize bedspread! I was a good enough knitter that I could watch the kids at the same time and I made it in sections. That's my one and only big project accomplished in a summer. Cool, huh!
Meredith says
That is really cool! My daughter wants to join the swim club next year, so maybe I'll take up knitting. 🙂
lenie5860 says
It is funny, isn't Meredith, that we look forward to our kids being home for the summer but then we look forward even more to them returning to school at the end of it. I guess there is truth to "For everything there is a season".
Your fall list looks pretty ambitious but with your positive energy and outlook I'm sure you'll get it done.
Love that you're spending time with the kids (be careful with the gymnastics - I tried doing cartwheels once, which were easy when I was young - not so much once I got older - won't go there!!).
HAVE A GREAT SUMMER.
Meredith says
I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who feels that way about summer, Lenie! You are so right about seasons. And I learned the hard way about cartwheels too. I was limping for days. Maybe if I work up to it next time... 😉
Ken Dowell says
Eventually your kids get to be an age where they're not that interested in whether you are around or not. At that point you can knock off your whole project list. But you might discover you miss doing stuff with your kids.
heraldmarty says
You know Meredith, I'm pretty sure the ambitious task list syndrome is not limited to people with children - we all fall into that trap from time to time. I do know what you mean about the additional challenges of parents that home school. My sister home schooled her kids and now my nieces and nephews are being home schooled so I've followed along with their challenges as well as the rewards and I am thoroughly impressed with their dedication.
Meredith says
Me too, Marty. Not only do I lack that kind of dedication, but I'm also pretty sure that my kids' education would suffer greatly, if it was my responsibility, especially in math! Glad to know I'm not the only one suffering from ambitious task syndrome!
carlye daugird says
Wait a minute?! Did you say 'write a book'?
Meredith says
Ha! Yes, but that's been on my list for a couple of years now, so we'll see...
Andy says
"Direct involvement"? I was left to my own devices during the summer when I was a kid. I rode my bike a lot and maybe skateboarded a bit. In the back yard I alternately shot some hoops or lounged around in the sun, catching some rays so as to work on my tan. This regimen was every bit as challenging as it sounds, but I made it through with flying colors. 😉
Meredith says
I so wish that summers were more like that still! Remember when we had nothing to do, and just made up fun stuff with the other neighborhood kids? We built a skateboard ramp one year in the street in front of my house. I can't tell you how many trips to the hospital that caused!
Tim says
Keep writing those lists Meredith, at the very least they will keep the important stuff at the forefront and it will be a constant niggler to get that book started/finished. All the best and enjoy the summer.
Meredith says
Thanks Tim! Without lists, I'd never get anything accomplished!
Susan Cooper/findingourwaynow.com says
Oh, Meredith, your list of things to do this summer made me laugh out loud (literally) when I got to the last bullet item. I think you bit off more than you could chew with that list. 🙂 I do the same thing, think wow, I have all this time, make all these grand plans and bulleted lists of the things I'm going to get done.. Never seems to be enough time to cover all the items. 🙂
Meredith says
Ha! Glad to give you a good laugh Susan, at least my list was good for something! Also, glad to know I'm not the only one who has this problem. 🙂
Arleen says
I have to agree that the pantry is ever evolving into something that I didn't start out with. It is always a good place to start. I have taken on a task of getting rid of things. My goal is to get rid of one thing a day. Not a hard thing to do everyone can participate.
Meredith says
I love the idea of having everyone participate! I'm going to try that with my kids' closets too.
William Rusho says
I get a little jealous of reading your posts. You complete all these wonderful projects, as for me I am lucky if I get out of the bed on the weekends.
Meredith says
All the projects are just my way of escaping from the daily grind of mom-stuff. Don't get me wrong, I love my kids, but I need a little creative outlet sometimes!
Life With Lorelai says
Ha! I love you rlists...especially picking up your kids from school each day. Thanks for sharing at the #HomeMattersParty - we're looking forward to what you have to share next week. 🙂
~Lorelai
Life With Lorelai
Meredith says
Thanks Lorelai! I have lists for everything!