It’s amusing to think about all of us who anxiously stared at our calendars during the chilly months of late winter, desperately trying to finalize our summer camp registrations. Back in February, I had a clear vision of how my summer would unfold. As a parent, I usually embrace the hefty expense of summer camps—around $6,000 annually for sending my three children to camp for ten weeks. My eldest is nine, and my twins are nearly seven; they’re not exactly self-sufficient, needing supervision every minute of the day. (Some days, even three minutes is a stretch.) As a freelancer and small business owner, my income hinges on my ability to work, which becomes nearly impossible when they’re awake.
This year, to save some cash, my ex-partner and I opted for a combination of camps and a teenage babysitter, and I felt quite clever for my planning efforts. But then the universe intervened, and everything changed. The pandemic swept across the country, throwing our plans into disarray.
Summer break is challenging enough for parents, especially those who work. The extended time at home in this new coronavirus era, while juggling work, high temperatures, and limited escape options, is a daunting prospect. Depending on where you live, camps and daycare options may still exist, but their safety is another conversation entirely. Many of us have received notifications about canceled plans or have made the tough decision to cancel ourselves due to health concerns or financial strain. Camps are expensive, but we can’t just halt work for three months. It’s not great for our careers, mental health, or finances. The universe seems to be laughing at us, doesn’t it? Well, it’s time for me to adapt!
On the bright side, I can work at night, and with my state gradually reopening, I hope to get back to working outside the home with new safety measures in place. I’m still counting on a trusted helper, but everything remains uncertain, and I’ve come to accept that nothing is guaranteed. Thankfully, most employers are in a similar predicament, and I’m grateful for understanding bosses and clients.
On the downside, kids can be incredibly loud and messy. It’s like a chaotic parade in my home, where someone invariably ends up in tears. “I promise that assignment is coming soon, Boss!” And it’s not like my kids can just take their nosebleeds elsewhere. Playgrounds, pools, and air-conditioned play spots are either closed or deemed too risky. Our neighborhood, nature walks (which my kids refer to as “not another stupid nature walk”), and the backyard are set to be our summer playgrounds.
So, following my instincts, I turned to Amazon and searched for “toys that will keep my kids entertained for eight hours while I work.” The game Simon popped up, alongside the movie Sahara starring Matthew McConaughey and Penelope Cruz. I refined my search and justified the expenses by considering all the money I’m saving on camps, sports, haircuts, and other activities we used to enjoy before we became people who roam half-naked and forgot how to interact with non-family members.
I tapped into my childhood memories of summers in the ’80s. Our sprinkler, bikes, and scooters are ready for action. To complete the lineup, I ordered sidewalk chalk, super soakers, a hammock, and a new basketball hoop. And with minimal regret, I purchased a 10×30 inch inflatable pool for the backyard, which comes with a pump and the necessity for chlorine tabs. I hope I can keep the water from turning green. While this mini pool won’t allow for significant swimming, it’s definitely an upgrade from our tiny plastic baby pool, which usually turns into a muddy soup within minutes. The kids can pretend it’s their private hot tub at a fancy resort.
Speaking of fancy, I added Fla-Vor-Ice pops to the grocery list. White bread and mayonnaise sandwiches will be our culinary offerings.
My kids are absolutely thrilled about these changes. While my schedule may be in shambles, theirs is shaping up nicely. They can wake up when they feel like it rather than being dragged out of bed, which still tends to be around 7:00 or 7:30 a.m., so don’t be too envious. They play a bit, eat breakfast on their own timetable, and then indulge in cartoons. Once screens are off, they do what kids do: play, bicker, laugh, devour food, dart in and out of the house countless times, and listen to me yell about keeping the door shut.
The house is a disaster, and it smells like sweaty socks, but I’m resigned to cleaning up crumbs off the floor multiple times a day to fend off ants. Yet, the more I adapt to this haphazard summer, the more I’m okay with it because my children are content. They want to be home, and I’m grateful I can provide that, even if it adds to my stress. I will take a breath and remember that I’m not alone in this; everyone is doing their best to keep their families afloat. Let’s hope that murder hornets don’t lead to assassination squirrels, and that the aliens in those UFOs decided to turn back after realizing our chaos isn’t worth their time. Here’s to the pandemic-themed mess that might just turn into one of the best summers my kids have ever had.
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Summary
This article reflects on the upheaval of summer plans due to the pandemic, detailing the challenges faced by working parents and the creative solutions they are finding to keep their children entertained. Amidst the chaos, the author finds solace in the happiness of their kids and embraces the unconventional summer ahead.