Dear Child,
I regret to inform you that your parent has gone a bit overboard. In their quest to maximize your summer experience, they’ve transformed into a hyperactive planner, determined to fill every second of your vacation with structured activities.
Educational camps, music lessons, swimming classes—get ready for a day packed from sunrise to sunset with activities aimed at fostering your growth and responsibility. And just because you’re not yet in middle school doesn’t mean you’re off the hook. Buckle up, little buddy; the summer “fun” is about to commence.
Forget about building forts or lounging around. Instead, you’ll be at coding camp or taking cello lessons, honing your “skills.” (Sure, you can hardly remember your favorite cartoon character, but just give it your best shot!) If you’re fortunate, you might snag an hour or two of “free play,” which, let’s be honest, is a bizarre concept when it’s been scheduled.
Your overly involved parent is just trying to help you “get ahead” in life, having likely been raised by the same type of controlling figures—your grandparents, a.k.a. the original Helicopter Parents. We get it, and if you’ve got a laid-back parent like me, it’s exhausting to watch.
We’d love to see changes, but we’re also terrified of your super-organized, Pinterest-perfect parent. We don’t want to catch their compulsive urge to plan every moment. For now, they’re still at large, but we’re keeping an eye out. In the meantime, here’s a printable summer schedule for your parent. Just hand it over and then maybe run.
5 Ways to Ruin Summer for Your Child
- Make Every Experience a “Learning” Opportunity.
If you’re the type of parent who hovers around the playground, narrating every action and interrupting playtime to enhance your child’s development, we have a small request: please just chill out. Grab a coffee and relax like the rest of us. - Focus Too Much on Your Child.
Want to raise a perpetually anxious, overly dependent adult? Keep a close watch on everything they do. Ensure your child knows you’re managing all their activities for future success. Forget about their preferences—building forts? Too juvenile. Swimming for fun? Absolutely ridiculous. - Obsess Over Their Future.
While your intentions may be noble—crafting an immaculate resume for future college applications—don’t forget to let your child enjoy the present. A child bogged down with stress won’t excel in the long run. Just look at the Millennial generation; we had great grades but faced a lot of challenges. Focus on today—order a pizza instead of a quinoa salad. - Forget What “Fun” Really Means.
Fun isn’t about snapping photos for social media or obsessively pinning projects you’ll never do. It’s about real moments, real connections, and genuine experiences. So, step outside your house and make friends at the park or pool—those real-life interactions will create the unforgettable memories your kids will cherish. - Start the Countdown to Summer’s End.
Yes, we understand work commitments. Yes, having kids at home can be chaotic. But please stop lamenting how you can’t wait for summer to wrap up. Remember, you chose to have these kids. So, silence your phone, and spend some quality time with those wonderful little humans you brought into the world.
Child, your parents might claim that your happiness is their top priority. Hold them to that this summer. Even if you fall behind in robotics because you chose to build a fort, you’re developing essential life skills. If only we could convince your parents of that. I’ll do my part if you do yours—starting with getting outside.
Sincerely,
Laid-back Parent
This article was originally published on June 12, 2015.
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Summary:
This article humorously critiques overly structured summer plans for children, suggesting that parents should allow their kids more freedom to enjoy their summer break. It emphasizes the importance of real experiences and relationships over rigid schedules and excessive planning.