Oh man I feel you on summer! I am dying at work at the moment because between camps only going until 3pm and all the extra prep that is required for each day of said camps (new forms, new gear, and yes reading all the camp emails with soooooooo many instructions to sift through) I am getting so behind. Add on top of that a couple of vacations and then family coming to visit (who expect me to also take days off when they're here) I feel like I may never be caught up. We made a summer bucket list of things we wanted to do this summer and we have not done a single one (and trust me they weren't big ambitious things...one is to make an icebox cake for example) because we have been so jam packed and then exhausted. C'est la vie for this stage of life I guess.
I'm sorry you're in these summer weeds, too! (And yes, with the early camp pickups! Girl Scout Camp pickup was between 3:45 and 4, but when I got there at 4 Zadie would be one of the only ones left...) And making an icebox cake sounds like a good idea! I didn't even get around to making a summer bucket list this year lol
Yes and yes. Beautifully written and so on point! Thank you for acknowledging something I haven’t been able to articulate. Summer is non stop chaos wrapped in high expectations for fun. The mental load is intense!
"Summer is nonstop chaos wrapped in high expectations for fun" <-- perfectly said! Once in a while it really *is* fun but wow the mental load has me *almost* too wiped out to enjoy it!
So very relatable. I love summer very much but this season of life - working and parenting - takes everything out of me and so every summer, I think ah well, maybe next year. Someday it'll be all the effortless, easy living that the internet says it should be!
Yes! I've been enjoying your weekly missives this summer--sounds like you guys have been so busy with guests, which is a whole other layer! Jealous of your lake life tho
hahaha. Well don't worry, no one will make you do it! A sauna is definitely preferable for me, too. I tried the sauna to cold plunge on a cruise ship last year and enjoyed it, but I don't think I got the full benefits you get if you do multiple rounds.
Woof. Yes, harvesting sounds like extremely hard work, which is the opposite of what we're taught summer should be! But grateful for all the farmers who are out there making it happen!
Thiiiiis! My brain was spiraling over the weekend as I was thinking about camps for this week, how to make dinner with baseball/swim team/soccer tryouts, doing laundry from being gone a few days last week, etc., etc. AND THEN I remembered that I also have a job! Managing summer with kids feels like everything else gets crowded out of my brain!
"AND THEN I remembered I also have a job" LOL this is so real for me. I think this is how a lot of women feel. All the kid and home stuff feels the most urgent, even if it's like oh yeah I'm also paid to work full-time. Versus my husband, who works from home and doesn't seem to have a problem with focusing on work, but compartmentalizes to the point where he might as well be in an office, because laundry, unloading the dishwasher, etc., usually doesn't even enter his consciousness until he's "off the clock."
So much yes! 🙌🏼 I’ve decided to redefine “productive” during the summer. Most of the time, if I’m feeling frustrated about how little I’ve accomplished, I ask myself if I think my kids feel loved by what I did. And if I can say yes to that (and usually, I think I can), I tell myself that was good enough.
As for travel, your Hawaii trip sounds so fun! Other than our big move, our travel plans are to North Carolina for my oldest daughter’s wedding at the end of the month!
I love that reframe! Zooming out almost always helps me get out of the panic/despair cycle. And congrats on your daughter's soon-to-be marriage! How fun!
YES YES YES my brain is also 1000 pieces! I was productive ish when kids are in school but now it feels like I'm a glorified parent admin and housekeeper where I do laundry sign up kids for pool classes (why so many sign ups?!?!) , for the pool, take my eldest driving, my middle child at orthodontist at moment, more groceries!!!!, and then when home more demands of "where are we going today? What's for dinner?"
So many sign-ups! 😭 I have no idea how moms of multiple children--especially spanning very different ages--do it! Like, taking your kid driving?! That is another level. You're doing great!
I'm right there with you in all the fragmented-brain/moving in slow-motion feels and craving some alone time to sit with my thoughts! Summer hasn't felt as relaxing as I hoped, but it's still held a lot of sweetness. So glad Hawaii was a hit and that you got lots of time in the water. I can't wait to hear how camp goes for Zadie!
Oh man I feel you on summer! I am dying at work at the moment because between camps only going until 3pm and all the extra prep that is required for each day of said camps (new forms, new gear, and yes reading all the camp emails with soooooooo many instructions to sift through) I am getting so behind. Add on top of that a couple of vacations and then family coming to visit (who expect me to also take days off when they're here) I feel like I may never be caught up. We made a summer bucket list of things we wanted to do this summer and we have not done a single one (and trust me they weren't big ambitious things...one is to make an icebox cake for example) because we have been so jam packed and then exhausted. C'est la vie for this stage of life I guess.
I'm sorry you're in these summer weeds, too! (And yes, with the early camp pickups! Girl Scout Camp pickup was between 3:45 and 4, but when I got there at 4 Zadie would be one of the only ones left...) And making an icebox cake sounds like a good idea! I didn't even get around to making a summer bucket list this year lol
Yes and yes. Beautifully written and so on point! Thank you for acknowledging something I haven’t been able to articulate. Summer is non stop chaos wrapped in high expectations for fun. The mental load is intense!
"Summer is nonstop chaos wrapped in high expectations for fun" <-- perfectly said! Once in a while it really *is* fun but wow the mental load has me *almost* too wiped out to enjoy it!
So very relatable. I love summer very much but this season of life - working and parenting - takes everything out of me and so every summer, I think ah well, maybe next year. Someday it'll be all the effortless, easy living that the internet says it should be!
Yes! I've been enjoying your weekly missives this summer--sounds like you guys have been so busy with guests, which is a whole other layer! Jealous of your lake life tho
I’m so terrified of contrast therapy LOL even though I have a sense it might be lifechanging. I hate being cold. Sauna time, yes. Cold? No please.
hahaha. Well don't worry, no one will make you do it! A sauna is definitely preferable for me, too. I tried the sauna to cold plunge on a cruise ship last year and enjoyed it, but I don't think I got the full benefits you get if you do multiple rounds.
I hope she has the best time at camp! I hope you enjoy that time too!
I loved Whistler, too!
We are about to start harvesting, so it feels like any summer fun is over. Haha.
Woof. Yes, harvesting sounds like extremely hard work, which is the opposite of what we're taught summer should be! But grateful for all the farmers who are out there making it happen!
Thiiiiis! My brain was spiraling over the weekend as I was thinking about camps for this week, how to make dinner with baseball/swim team/soccer tryouts, doing laundry from being gone a few days last week, etc., etc. AND THEN I remembered that I also have a job! Managing summer with kids feels like everything else gets crowded out of my brain!
"AND THEN I remembered I also have a job" LOL this is so real for me. I think this is how a lot of women feel. All the kid and home stuff feels the most urgent, even if it's like oh yeah I'm also paid to work full-time. Versus my husband, who works from home and doesn't seem to have a problem with focusing on work, but compartmentalizes to the point where he might as well be in an office, because laundry, unloading the dishwasher, etc., usually doesn't even enter his consciousness until he's "off the clock."
So much yes! 🙌🏼 I’ve decided to redefine “productive” during the summer. Most of the time, if I’m feeling frustrated about how little I’ve accomplished, I ask myself if I think my kids feel loved by what I did. And if I can say yes to that (and usually, I think I can), I tell myself that was good enough.
As for travel, your Hawaii trip sounds so fun! Other than our big move, our travel plans are to North Carolina for my oldest daughter’s wedding at the end of the month!
I love that reframe! Zooming out almost always helps me get out of the panic/despair cycle. And congrats on your daughter's soon-to-be marriage! How fun!
Thank you! They make a wonderful couple! We’re excited!
YES YES YES my brain is also 1000 pieces! I was productive ish when kids are in school but now it feels like I'm a glorified parent admin and housekeeper where I do laundry sign up kids for pool classes (why so many sign ups?!?!) , for the pool, take my eldest driving, my middle child at orthodontist at moment, more groceries!!!!, and then when home more demands of "where are we going today? What's for dinner?"
So many sign-ups! 😭 I have no idea how moms of multiple children--especially spanning very different ages--do it! Like, taking your kid driving?! That is another level. You're doing great!
Thank you!! I'm feeling overwhelmed this summer! Constantly toggling things in my head
I'm right there with you in all the fragmented-brain/moving in slow-motion feels and craving some alone time to sit with my thoughts! Summer hasn't felt as relaxing as I hoped, but it's still held a lot of sweetness. So glad Hawaii was a hit and that you got lots of time in the water. I can't wait to hear how camp goes for Zadie!