With spring break just behind us, my thoughts are already drifting toward summer. As the final school bell approaches in less than two months, I find myself caught up in conversations about summer plans.
Living in a community rich with diverse, engaging, and budget-friendly summer activities—from swimming and cooking classes to ballet and lacrosse—my family is fortunate. In years past, the arrival of the summer program guide would prompt me to spend hours poring over it, highlighting options, dog-earing pages, and coordinating camps and classes for my two sons, Jake and Liam. I would mark the calendar for registration day, ensuring I was online right when it opened, often racking up hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars on various summer activities, from swimming lessons to art camps and flag football.
However, this year, the program guide has remained mostly untouched since it arrived over two months ago. I’ve flipped through it a few times, contemplating options, but each time, I return it to the cupboard without making a decision. Aside from a brief extension class at their school and some spring baseball, I haven’t committed to any summer activities. I understand that these camps fill up quickly, and with each passing day, I risk ending up with no plans for July and August—a possibility that, surprisingly, is starting to sound appealing.
Initially, the idea of an unscheduled summer—especially one that’s mostly free of structure—felt daunting. For the past five years, summer camps have kept my kids active, provided me with a much-needed break, and helped them forge new friendships. As a work-from-home mom, I have depended on these structured activities to ensure a few uninterrupted hours of work during the summer. I worried about the potential boredom that could come with two months of open-ended time for my kids and me.
Yet, my initial fears quickly transformed into a sense of relief, freedom, and even excitement. We could embark on spontaneous road trips, visit the beach, or invite friends over without the constraints of scheduled classes. With a pool pass, swimming lessons can happen whenever we feel like it. Plus, a little boredom could be beneficial, fostering new adventures, igniting creativity, and leading to the discovery of new activities.
I recognize that our family is privileged to choose how we spend our summer, and I don’t want to squander this time with self-imposed obligations. With Jake and Liam now 5 and 8 years old, we find ourselves in a sweet spot of parenting. They’re old enough to engage with friends and entertain themselves without constant adult supervision, yet still young enough to revel in simple summer pleasures like catching fireflies and playing capture the flag. Sports practices are informal and occur just twice a week, rather than daily commitments with out-of-town tournaments. Why rush into a whirlwind of busyness before it’s necessary?
Thus, my husband and I reached a consensus: fewer activities, more freedom. When I discussed our summer plan with the boys, I anticipated some resistance or begging for camps and classes, but they responded mostly with enthusiasm (though there were a few questions). I explained that once their extension class ends in late June, the only scheduled activity would be one sports team for each of them—baseball for Jake and tee-ball for Liam, both with practices just two nights a week. Our days would be wide open for trips to the lake, playdates, or visits to the pool. I mentioned we would each keep a journal to document our summer adventures, and if they ever felt bored, they should think twice before coming to me for help; I might suggest some less-than-exciting chores, like folding laundry or cleaning up after the dog.
I’m still uncertain about how this unscheduled Summer of Freedom will unfold. It may involve more bickering than I’d prefer and plenty of “time-outs” for all involved. But I also hope it creates space for bike rides, nature walks, and spontaneous visits with family and friends. I aspire for us to transition from the obligation that often accompanies the school year to a sense of possibility, if only for a couple of months. I wish for this experience to remind all of us—including me—that the world is shaped by our actions, not solely by what it presents to us.
I view this summer as an experiment. Will it be a time of personal growth and creativity, or will I come to realize that, despite my desire for spontaneity, our family thrives on routine and predictability? And perhaps most critically, I ponder how long it will take before I lose my sanity, resort to day drinking, and rummage through the trash for my forgotten program guide, desperate for a single class—basket weaving, croquet, anything!—that’s still available to carve out moments of peace.
We shall soon find out.
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Summary
This article reflects on the decision to embrace a largely unscheduled summer, moving away from the structured activities that have dominated previous years. With a focus on freedom and creativity, the author explores the potential benefits of downtime for both children and parents, while also humorously contemplating the challenges that come with a lack of routine.