My kids mostly got out on June 10, so we’ve gone through the initial adjustment to vacation that occurs every year. things are going more smoothly now. I’m a stay at home mom and we try not to have a lot of commitments in summer since we go up north a lot, but I definitely felt like they needed more structure when we are at home. I don’t want them sleeping till 10 and not doing anything and then being on screens.
My eight and 10 year olds have swim lessons this week, but this was the only full week I can get in for the summer. My 10 year old still has horseback riding on Sundays throughout summer. Both will go to Girl Scouts day camp for a week in August, with me, too. It’s our volunteer-led day camp by community when you can go as a troop.
12 year old is a bit loose ends. A couple of his friends are coming over this week to hang out. That will be good, because otherwise, I think he spends too much time on Xbox.
14 yo DD is at Sleepaway camp this week. She really wants to hang out with friends and her “boyfriend” whenever we are in town. She might also do a theater activity later in the summer, and she needs to start practicing to rejoin band this year.
Being at the cottage a lot is really awesome, but it also makes things kind of hectic and choppy as the kids get older. I love summer and it always goes too fast for me! The kids to have a lot that can keep them busy just with helping at home. We are continuing an ongoing cleanup and getting rid of a bunch of old toys and clothes. And 14 yo DD wants to paint her room and get some new furniture. She still using our nursery set, with the crib that converted to a full size bed! We have a garden and flowers for them to water, and also they can take the dog out.
2nd update, sorry I know these are boring lol. Anyway, I called DS from work yesterday and told him to take in the trash bins and invite his friends over. Fence is fixed and no longer a liability. They all came over and played basketball then decided to play video games. Instead of coming inside and playing which to be fair, I hadn't technically invited them because I didn't know about their plans, they decided to all go home and play online with each other and DS had a phone call with his friend. I am glad he was able to reconnect because we are going on vacation and then they have sleepaway camp followed by soccer camp so July will be busier for him.
I just found out that DH can't get the 5th off, so I have to do sleepaway camp drop off on my own. DD has a GS overnight, and I pick her up today from camp and then they are home together on Friday.
My plan to disconnect the internet this week while I was at work M-W so my son would be forced out of the house hit a snag, since everyone else still had school. LOL He ended up doing yard work for a relative and made some money so that was great for him. He also did dishes every day, dusted and took great care of the dog. Not a bad start to summer!
Post by DotAndBuzz on Jun 22, 2023 12:40:02 GMT -5
didn't read any replies, but this is our 2nd week of summer.
1st week both of mine (age 12 and 15) were at a rock band day camp, where they were in bands that wrote their own music with the other kids. My oldest one went thinking she'd do vocals and keyboards, and left playing bass guitar. It's the music school where H and my younger one take guitar lessons, and it appears we may now have a bass player in the house. She loved it.
This week - SO MANY APPOINTMENTS. Therapy, orthodontist, vet, doctors, specialits, etc. Spring/winter me was like "oh, we'll set this week aside for appointments, that way we can do them all at once"! This was a questionable choice, lol. Oldest has tennis camp, 2 hrs a day, and also had her first lesson with her new private coach (she's doing this with 2 friends who are also on the JV team at school with her).
Some babysitting jobs sprinkled in there as well for my oldest. Volunteering is also in the works, just have to lock down times. I asked around at some stores about a job for her, but no where really hires kids under 16.
Upcoming - family trip with H's family up north, family trip with my parents to NC coast (and a couple college visits on the way driving down there), week at an acapella music camp 8 hours away for my oldest. For down time, I honestly think I'll probably let them chill. Go to the pool, hang with friends, play video games, that kind of thing. I feel like we have a lot planned, and I want them to have plenty of down time too to get ready for the upcoming school year.
Post by Wines Not Whines on Jun 22, 2023 15:12:55 GMT -5
My 12 year old is doing the summer swim team, which involves practice every weekday morning and one meet every week. In the afternoons he’s mostly just hanging out at home while I work. I’m very glad he was interested in swim team this year, because he’s not interested in most camps.
In August he has an overnight camp, and then we go on vacation. We get back right before school starts.
Also my 11 year, who I don't consider to be a teen lol, is in his last year of summer camp. He still really likes it so that is great. Makes it really easy for me.
Also my 11 year, who I don't consider to be a teen lol, is in his last year of summer camp. He still really likes it so that is great. Makes it really easy for me.
Ha, my 11 year old has big teen energy. Sometimes I forget we aren't technically there yet.
Also my 11 year, who I don't consider to be a teen lol, is in his last year of summer camp. He still really likes it so that is great. Makes it really easy for me.
Ha. Yes, I’ve been cracking up at the “well my 10 year old is in camp” responses. My kids also went to camp when they were 10. And 11. And even 12. But now at 14, they are too old, hence my questions
"Hello babies. Welcome to Earth. It's hot in the summer and cold in the winter. It's round and wet and crowded. On the outside, babies, you've got a hundred years here. There's only one rule that I know of, babies-"God damn it, you've got to be kind.”