Summer. It’s every school aged child’s favorite word – a few short months of lazy mornings, homework-free afternoons and evenings that stretch on long after the sun goes down.
When my children were preschoolers, summer was stressful. The loss of the daily structure created by their preschool threw me for a loop, as I struggled to fill our days with play dates and activities. When my youngest began elementary school and our neighborhood pool became our social hub, summers became relaxed and relatively stress-free. I can sit under a tree, donning a huge hat and slathered with sunscreen, reading a book or chatting with friends.
Now that my oldest is finishing her freshman year in high school, summers are a welcome respite from mornings that begin at 6:00 am and homework that takes hours to complete. It is a time for more frequent family dinners, day trips, vacations, and sleepovers. With fewer commitments and obligations, my days of nagging and wrangling kids are put on hold, as we have the leisure of simply enjoying each other’s company.
I love this time home with my kids. The three of us chill out in the summer, and they embrace the long lazy days with an appreciation they didn’t have when they were little.
I embrace these summer days too; I cling to them with a desperate urgency knowing that they will be gone too soon. In four short summers, my daughter will call a college campus her home. I only have four summers left with my baby before I send her out into the world. Yes, she will come home each May, but I know that it won’t be the same once she has lived on her own.
The start of summer marks another year passing. There are only eighteen summers in a childhood, and the numbers are creeping up much too fast.
I try to live in the moment. I try not to think of how quickly time flies. I try to think of the end of the school year as a beginning – the start of my babies’ fifteenth and twelfth summers. I will not wish away the days, or hustle the kids to bed when I’m tired and cranky. I will lie next to them and kiss them goodnight. I will peek in on their sleeping faces before I crawl into my own bed. I will embrace these summer days with my children, and each day after until I have to let them go.
My oldest just turned four and I’m due with #2 at the end of August. In some ways this feels like the longest and shortest summer all at the same time!
I hear you – both of mine were August babies. I spent both summers going from the air conditioned house, to car, to work…avoiding the heat and humidity at all costs. Stay cool!
Wow. You took the words right out of my mouth. Our oldest starts HS this fall and I’m in the process of planning a HUGE family trip for next year because I know it could be the last for all 5 of us. Thanks for the post and thanks for linking up with us at LOBS party!!
Time goes by so quickly, doesn’t it? Good luck with your trip planning, Kristen – and thanks for hosting!
Stopping over from the Ladies Only Blog Share. What a great post! So true that our children’s summers go by so fast. My daughters are only 1 and almost 4, but I already feel like time is flying by.
And it will only fly by faster as they get older – enjoy it! Thanks for stopping by, Nicole.
Awww…beautiful post! Thank you for sharing it at the Ladies Only Blog Share Link Party. 🙂
My pleasure – thanks for hosting, Crystal!
Beautiful post! My kids are 15 and 23 – one just starting that period with exams every May and the other just graduated. You’re right those summers are special and I’m enjoying the last few (Maybe even the last one) when we are all together. Is it my imagination or does life speed up as you get older? It seems that way to me!
It seems that way to me too, Ana. Enjoy the summer with your babies!
You’re so smart to soak this all in before everything changes again. Try not to fear the college years–I have one son in college (and three beautiful step-kids under 11, and a baby on the way), and we’ve grown even closer during his college years. They never really leave home.
I’m so glad to hear that, Carla. I really love the people my kids are becoming, so I would love to keep them home for awhile!
My babies aren’t even near school age yet, and I’m already starting to get sad about sending them off each day. Is that crazy? I feel like I’m trying so hard to get all the snuggles in that I can, but I know I’m still missing some. Thanks for the reminder, and the sniffles I now have. 🙂
Not crazy at all, and I’m sorry for the sniffles 🙂
what did you do/say/pay to get those two to hold hands? so cute!
I said “Walk ahead of me and hold hands so I can take a picture for my blog.” Hands were released as soon as I snapped the shot.
Oh my goodness this nearly gave me a panic attack and my oldest just finished his first year of Kindergarten! IT does go by too quickly! I was just thinking about how nice it will be when they are a little bigger and I can relax a bit more, but now I’m thinking I should just hold on to THIS right now. The hugs, the kisses, the tantrums, the dependency… I think I love it after all!
I know your kids’ ages are challenging now, but you’re right – hold on to it now while it’s here. Sorry to panic you, but better that then wishing these summers away, right?
My kids are grown but I fondly remember summers hanging out with them at the pool. It’s not always easy but remembering that each summer – heck each day! – is a precious one, is so important. So beautifully written!
Thanks so much, Mo. It is so important to remember each day – I try to remind myself of that when I’m just ready for a particularly trying day to end!
This is so lovely, Dana. Eighteen summers – so many changes and so much fun to be had, yet I know they will fly. That you for the reminder to enjoy them all.
You’re welcome, Kim – have a great summer with your Captains!
What a beautiful perspective on summer… you nailed it here, Dana. Mine are only 10 and 7, but I never thought about it like that. Time for me to embrace each day and not begrudgingly push through it as I do sometimes. SO glad I saw you over at sharefest!!! 🙂 (Been wanting to stop by for a long time!)
Begrudgingly push through – that’s exactly what I’ve been guilty of doing at times too. I’m glad you stopped by too!
I love summers for these reasons, too! I get to stay home with my kids part of the day during the school year, so we’re always doing the plagyroups and storytime at the library, etc., so summer doesn’t change a whole lot of our schedule. But it IS so much more relaxed because we don’t have to be anywhere on an actual schedule during the summer. We can pretty much do whatever we want and just spend time together!
Exactly. Have a great summer with the kiddos, Shay!
Oh Dana,
I got teary at the line “I will not wish away the days.” Thanks for that reminder…while my son will have some school this summer, there is a long break in June and one in August. I’ve been really worried about what to do with him all day and very much appreciate the reminder from you that he is small and that these are times to cherish.
And wow, the time does fly, doesn’t it? This was a truly beautiful post. The title is perfect.
Thank you Kristi. It’s a bit weepy, but I did want it to serve as a reminder to enjoy your kids while they are small.
Dana, summer’s a wonderful time, and your children make it more so. Thanks for sharing!
My pleasure, Michelle. Summer is a little bit sweeter when you look at it through your kids’ eyes.
I don’t have kids, but am now nostalgic for the time when I was a kid, enjoying all the sun and relaxation that summer offered. In order to do that now, as an adult, I’d have to ask for an extended leave from work. Oh to be a kid again!
We didn’t know how good we had it, did we Catherine?
I never really looked at it that way – 18 summers. As a kid, there seemed to be no number (or limit) on the wonder of summer. This is my first summer with a year of preschool under our belt and I find myself panicked about time and structure, and not at all relaxed. It hasn’t happened yet but one more week of school and then yikes! This post is making me weepy – time to kiss the kids’ faces.
I remember feeling the same way about summer when my kids were preschoolers. Kiss your kids and enjoy – you have many more summers to spend together!
I am EXACTLY where you are right now and I feel like I have been choking back tears for the last few weeks. How did we get here so quickly? Preschool just started yesterday and now we are discussing college. Thanks for writing the words I have been too emotional to say. I hope your summer is wonderful ~ and slow!
I’m glad you can relate, Kim. Here’s to a slooooooow summer with our babies!
Well said, again. You made me cry! I look forward to relaxing poolside with you, and enjoying relaxing days with the kids.
Looking forward to it too! And a girls night out or two maybe? 🙂
Dana, thanks for this post! It puts things in perspective for me, especially after a night of little sleep. We have to cherish the time we have. Saying that the kids have 18 summers really can change your outlook. Enjoy your kiddos. I will do the same.
We do need some perspective – I wish I had known that those few difficult summers would be followed by many relaxing ones. I will enjoy my kiddos – thanks!
sobbing like a fool again, seriously. I know my little guy is just 4, but I know how time quickly passes and can’t imagine sending him off into the world. What will I be if I am no this mom every day?
I am sure you raised a beautiful, kind, and intelligent daughter and what a difference she will make in the world.
You’re sweet, Karen – thank you. Hug your boy tight and enjoy the summer with him!
Ahhh I miss the days when summer meant sleeping in and relaxing. Someday it will again, hopefully! Enjoy, Dana!!!
Thanks, Kate – I plan on it!
Well, Dana, you did it again! Glad I have a box of tissues in this room. The feelings you have come to me on a regular basis as I seen time fly; my children are grown with children of their own. Where did the time go? Now the thought of a grandchildren going away to college is mind boggling. I will try to remember Consider’s post when those feelings overwhelm me.
I make you cry a lot, don’t I?
I’m looking forward to the summer too…because often I sit outside by the pool and just read or work while the kids hang out with their friends. Time really does fly way too fast!
It’s easier when they’re older, isn’t it? Enjoy!
Oh beautiful post and even though my girls are still little I know that day will come for me, too. Just hope that it doesn’t come too quickly now!!
Let’s slow down time a bit – can we do that?
Bless you though – I’m sure it will all slough away to reveal a new and equally wonderful stage of life and relationship with your children. This is the adventure, and I expect although it is bittersweet, new rewards will appear in the future which make it every bit as worthwhile as all your summers.
You are so right. That’s such a positive way of looking at it – thank you!