Let me be clear: summer break has its perks. For instance… um… well, let’s see. Ah, yes! The clock is ticking down on this endless stretch of time, which is a relief because I’m done with it.
I hear the familiar clinking of a spoon against a bowl—most likely filled with cereal that will inevitably be left to languish somewhere out of sight. I can already feel the irritation bubbling up as I prepare to yell, once again, “WHO LEFT CEREAL IN THE LIVING ROOM?” But the bowl is just the tip of the iceberg. I bet the cereal box is still on the counter, wide open, and the milk? Probably still sitting out. My kids, despite their claims of being utterly bored, prefer to evade any responsibilities, especially cleaning up after themselves.
Our garage resembles a bike and scooter repository, their rooms are cluttered with gadgets, and their closets are overflowing with toys. Yet, they wander around claiming they have “nothing to do.” Their boredom has led to endless squabbles over trivial matters, like who’s better at Fortnite dances or who left the toilet unflushed… yet again. If I could just get five minutes of peace without any shouts or me barking, “JUST LEAVE YOUR BROTHER ALONE!” I’d consider it a win.
A more patient mom might have a list of fun summer activities ready to go, but honestly, that just means crafting and projects—both of which usually lead to more mess. Remember that time I accidentally glued my fingers to my pants? Yeah, fun times.
I’d love to encourage them to unplug and explore their creative sides, but “creative play” for them often means new ways to cause chaos. Like the time they decided to climb onto the top bunk and “snow” the room with crumpled paper by turning on the ceiling fan. Or when they attempted to make slime and wasted nearly a whole bottle of my favorite detergent.
All my grand summer plans have gone out the window, and any semblance of structure has devolved into utter chaos. I can’t remember the last time we did anything educational—sorry, teachers! Our home has transformed into a free-for-all for screen time, and the idea of three balanced meals has morphed into one long snack session of questionable nutritional value. I sometimes find myself counting the days since their last proper bath—complete with soap, not just a dip in the pool. As for matching outfits? Forget it. If they want to wear their Christmas pajama pants that are two sizes too small, so be it.
The incessant ding of the doorbell is like the sound of a cash register, heralding the arrival of neighborhood friends who are helping my grocery bill skyrocket while letting all the cool air escape. I can’t fathom how a handful of kids can demolish a Costco-sized box of popsicles in just two days, but here we are—out of popsicles.
This artificially-colored, mind-numbing “vacation” has my Mom Guilt skyrocketing, all while I struggle to keep everything low-maintenance. I simply don’t have the energy to be a perfect mom 24-7. At this point, I’m daydreaming about dropping them off at school with backpacks full of snacks and saying, “Just hang tight, the doors will open soon!” before I make my grand exit.
While summer allows some flexibility, the start of school means a return to a schedule. Sure, it comes with the stress of getting everyone up, dressed, and out the door, but that’s a small price to pay. After all, it brings a few precious hours of peace from the sounds of cartoons, sibling disputes, and cries of “I’m bored!” and “There’s nothing to eat!”
I love my children dearly, but right now, I wouldn’t mind if they headed back to school. A little time apart would make me a better mom, and I’m feeling smothered by this summer togetherness. So here’s hoping the remaining days of break pass quickly, allowing me to return to our predictable routine and give my kids the quality education they deserve. And then I’ll probably cry because the house feels so empty when they’re gone.
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Summary
Summer break can feel endless as kids declare boredom while creating chaos at home. Despite the fun of summer, the lack of structure leads to chaotic days filled with screen time and sibling squabbles. As the end of summer approaches, the longing for the return to school grows, bringing a much-needed routine and a break from constant togetherness.