I really hate when well meaning teachers or other parents ask “so, what are your plans for the summer?”. Well, I’m self employed so I have to work. I have to fit childcare around that and so some days will not be full to the brim of fun. And that’s ok.
I think the best thing for me this year will be staying away from social media. I always start my summer exactly how you describe in your post, slowly, relaxed and without too much expectation. Certainly not with a rigorous plan in place. But soon I’m faced with other mums on Instagram who are doing everything! I soon start to compare and that’s when the guilt comes.
But not this year! I’m not being sucked in, and I won’t be checking social media. There’ll be no comparing and we will go at our own pace and do things that we want to do, when we feel like doing it.
Thank you for sharing this post. I hope you have a wonderfully content summer 🥰
Social media can be such a comparison trap, can’t it? Changing how I view social media has helped so much in seeing how it can further this feeling of being incomplete somehow as a mum if you are not “doing all the things”. I’m fine the way I am and my children are fine the way they are. It always helps me to see things from our grandparents perspective; would they have let people pressure them go into doing things they didn’t want to do and spending money they didn’t really have to fill some sort of questionable void that really wasn’t there in the first place? 🤔
I resonate 100%. Some of my best summer memories as a kid are from staying at home and doing little else but charge around the garden with my brother and a whole heap of imagination.
Some of my favourite adult memories this past year have been staying at home and doing little else but potter around with my partner and a whole heap of contentment :)
I enjoyed this thoughtful piece. You raise really beautiful points. I admire your intentionality around Summer.
For me, Summer is our chance to rest! If we're smart, we'll use it that way and our familes will reach the end of it revived and with energy for the year ahead (rather than exhausted from trying to get through a bucket list). If we don't slow down over the Summer, when will we? How will our children learn about the need and benefits of going slow at times?
Parents feel a lot of pressure to "make memoriies" with their children but it's not the big stuff that counts. I think what our families really need is time to connect and whether it's on a grand holiday or while chilling out around home makes little difference.
Oh gosh, I felt this!
I really hate when well meaning teachers or other parents ask “so, what are your plans for the summer?”. Well, I’m self employed so I have to work. I have to fit childcare around that and so some days will not be full to the brim of fun. And that’s ok.
I think the best thing for me this year will be staying away from social media. I always start my summer exactly how you describe in your post, slowly, relaxed and without too much expectation. Certainly not with a rigorous plan in place. But soon I’m faced with other mums on Instagram who are doing everything! I soon start to compare and that’s when the guilt comes.
But not this year! I’m not being sucked in, and I won’t be checking social media. There’ll be no comparing and we will go at our own pace and do things that we want to do, when we feel like doing it.
Thank you for sharing this post. I hope you have a wonderfully content summer 🥰
Social media can be such a comparison trap, can’t it? Changing how I view social media has helped so much in seeing how it can further this feeling of being incomplete somehow as a mum if you are not “doing all the things”. I’m fine the way I am and my children are fine the way they are. It always helps me to see things from our grandparents perspective; would they have let people pressure them go into doing things they didn’t want to do and spending money they didn’t really have to fill some sort of questionable void that really wasn’t there in the first place? 🤔
Cheers to a slow and happy summer! 💗✨
Absolutely! You’re so right about the feeling of being an incomplete mum due to social media.
Amen to a slow and happy summer! 🥰
I resonate 100%. Some of my best summer memories as a kid are from staying at home and doing little else but charge around the garden with my brother and a whole heap of imagination.
Some of my favourite adult memories this past year have been staying at home and doing little else but potter around with my partner and a whole heap of contentment :)
Yes, my best summer memories as a kid are similar! Lazy days of play and using your imagination and also days of endless reading 🌿
I enjoyed this thoughtful piece. You raise really beautiful points. I admire your intentionality around Summer.
For me, Summer is our chance to rest! If we're smart, we'll use it that way and our familes will reach the end of it revived and with energy for the year ahead (rather than exhausted from trying to get through a bucket list). If we don't slow down over the Summer, when will we? How will our children learn about the need and benefits of going slow at times?
Parents feel a lot of pressure to "make memoriies" with their children but it's not the big stuff that counts. I think what our families really need is time to connect and whether it's on a grand holiday or while chilling out around home makes little difference.
Wow, I love your comment so much Julie! 🥰
Yes I agree, there is this pressure to constantly “make memories”. It feels so overwhelming. Connection is absolutely what is important ❤️
Ha, thanks Luisa! 😂