Lifestyle
By Amanda P. Richards
Updated: May 29, 2023
Originally Published: May 29, 2023
This summer, my family and I are gearing up for a truly remarkable experience, and by remarkable, I mean wonderfully uneventful. We are intentionally clearing our schedules of any obligations that require planning, payments, or punctuality. We’re stepping away from the chaos of summer activities and adopting a laid-back, Zen approach to the season.
Minimalism is trending, and we’re diving headfirst into that philosophy from the last school bell in May until the first day back in August. In essence, we’re not doing anything this summer, and we are totally okay with that.
I’ve felt this way for a while now—ever since the stress of summer camp sign-ups, with their high fees, started to trigger anxiety around late March. I realized I was facing 12 long weeks of trying to entertain four energetic kids whose enthusiasm could rival a power plant.
After nearly two decades of parenting, I officially reached my limit on summer burnout. I’ve announced my resignation from the roles of vacation planner, sports coordinator, craft facilitator, all-day meal provider, taxi driver, and every other summer enrichment task I’ve taken on for years. In short, I’m done.
The good news is that my kids are now old enough to decide how they want to spend their days, and they can actually manage it themselves. No more daily charts to track their reading, chores, tech time, outdoor play, creativity, or sibling assistance. Have we really turned into a checklist society for our kids?
I’m fortunate to have teenagers who can drive and are capable of staying home alone without issue. It took years of building trust, and yes, I still worry, but instead of longing for those little-kid summers, I’m going to be fist-pumping my way to the beach solo and doing what summer is meant for—relaxing and recharging.
If they want to join, that’s great, but like my mom in the late ‘70s, I’ll be taking only the essentials: sunscreen and a towel. No more massive wagons packed with lunch, snacks, pool toys, and everything else.
And please spare me the well-meaning advice about how children need to keep their brains engaged during the summer or risk falling behind in school. I value education too, but I’ve raised a child who earned a scholarship while spending many summers in front of the TV. He’s now thriving in college and has expressed concern for classmates who can’t unwind. They struggle to find balance between work and leisure, and they don’t understand when it’s time to simply “be.”
Isn’t that what summer should be about? Moments of just existing? Enjoying breezy evenings with baseball on the radio, spontaneous ice cream outings, lazy days in pajamas, and letting boredom spark creativity and exploration—not because of a checklist, but because it feels right.
I believe it’s those quiet moments of nothingness that create the most memorable experiences for our children. And this summer? I plan to savor every single one.
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In summary, this summer is all about embracing simplicity, enjoying time together (or apart), and allowing our kids to discover the joys of unstructured days.