Upon returning from spring break, my children were tasked with reflecting on their time off—documenting the activities they engaged in. As I braced myself for their answers, I couldn’t help but wonder: What will they recount? Hours of YouTube Kids? Lounging in pajamas? Indulging in Easter candy at the crack of dawn? This pretty much sums up our spring break, and I expect our summer to mirror it closely.
While we have a few trips planned and some casual camps scattered throughout June, July, and August, the majority of our summer will resemble that laid-back spring break. Our days will be characterized by sleeping in, minimal hygiene routines, and endless snacks, all free from stringent schedules.
Typically, my kids wake between 6 and 9 a.m., having a haphazard breakfast—a bowl of cereal on the couch followed by a piece of cheese an hour later. By noon, after exhausting the battery on the iPad, they might finally change into play clothes and venture outside, only to return moments later. The pool? Maybe. A trip to the library? Perhaps not. They could engage in marathon games of “hide and seek” or “the floor is lava” with friends down the street, pausing only for popsicles and watermelon. Or they might just lounge around. That’s the beauty of an unscheduled summer, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
I recognize that this carefree approach isn’t feasible for every family. Many parents must work and rely on childcare, while some children thrive on structured activities to maintain household calmness. Yet for us, this arrangement is perfect, and I cherish it.
Admittedly, having occasional plans helps break the monotony and encourages us to get dressed, put on real clothes, and leave the house (yes, even me). Therefore, I’ve enrolled my children in a few light activities and sports, but if you glance at our calendar, you’ll find it largely blank. The scheduled activities are spaced out and typically commence around 10 a.m., allowing us to maintain our leisurely mornings and late nights spent enjoying movies.
As summer progresses and we prepare to return to the school routine, we often reminisce about how those empty calendar squares transformed into cherished memories. “That was the day we visited the zoo,” we’ll say. “And remember the night we ordered pizza with the neighbors and played flashlight tag until late?” Or the day we crafted a play and forced everyone to watch our performance!
By summer’s end, my book-loving son will have devoured 50 novels, while my sports enthusiast will have played enough baseball and soccer to collapse into bed each night. My daughter will fill her summer with stories and illustrations. Toys will remain scattered in the yard, only to be rediscovered the next day. There will be spontaneous bike rides and road trips to visit family, and my kids will invent their own games, knowing I won’t be their daily entertainer.
Some days may involve excessive screen time, but others will be filled with art projects, puzzles, or perfecting cartwheels. They might spend hours lost in the world of Harry Potter or swimming until they need afternoon naps.
While I can’t recreate the carefree summers of my childhood—complete with candy cigarettes and Tang—I can ensure that the months from May to September are dedicated to imaginative, unstructured play. I want them to explore the outdoors, collect ladybugs, watch movies, ride bikes, and engage in water fights for hours on end.
Even if my daughter writes about “eating a bag of jelly beans and staying up past 10 p.m.” for her spring break assignment—and her summer essay will likely mirror that—I’m perfectly fine with it.
Before diving back into the whirlwind of school assignments and deadlines, I relish the break for both my kids and myself. I appreciate not having to urge them to dress, eat breakfast, and rush to catch the bus five mornings a week. Certainly, there are days when having all three kids at home feels endless. I won’t deny that I celebrate when they return to school and I reclaim some peace. After all, they’re typical siblings, and despite their affection for one another, they often bicker over the iPad, TV remote, or water guns. Daily, someone ends up in tears from a bike mishap or a bee sting.
Yet on those unplanned days, I simply apply a band-aid and hand them a popsicle, sending them back outside. I might have to yell, “BE NICE TO EACH OTHER!” from the kitchen, but those are the moments I pour myself a little “Mommy juice” and invite the other moms over. Thus, summer blissfully continues.
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Summary:
Embracing an unstructured summer allows children the freedom to explore, create, and play without the confines of a strict schedule. While occasional activities help provide some structure, the focus remains on imaginative play, fostering independence and creativity. This laid-back approach not only benefits the children but also offers parents a much-needed respite from the daily grind of school routines.