It is almost back to school time for us and I am SO sad. Most people are surprised when I say that. The usual response is, “But you work, right? So what is the difference?” I totally get what they mean, because technically… they are 100% correct. I still have to drop my kids off each morning and I still don’t get home until about 6:30pm. So why would I care if its summer or not?
Here’s why this working mom will REALLY miss summer:
We get to wake up later: School starts EARLY. We have to get out the door by 7:30am once the official school year is underway. But during the summer my son goes to camp, and he doesn’t have to get there until 9AM! Woohooooo! This makes all of our mornings better. I can let my kids sleep in as long as they want, since they never wake up later than 8:15. (and even that late is rare) There is no rush to eat breakfast, pack up backpacks or look for a clean uniform. The entire morning is more laid back. We chat… eat breakfast slowly… have a tea party… play Lego’s, whatever we want! I will miss these mornings so much!
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| Lots of morning snuggles! |
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| Don’t we all look so happy & well rested? |
Staying up late: I know lots of moms who keep their kids on the same sleep schedule throughout the summer, and I totally get it. It is probably the ‘right’ thing to do. However, we let our kids stay up late all summer long. My kids usually go to bed at 8pm during the regular school year. Since I get home at 6:30, we eat dinner at 7, after dinner is baths & showers and then we have to put the kids right to bed. This summer my daughter has been up until about 9pm and my son has been averaging 10pm. My husband and I LOVE it! We have been having so much fun with this extra time… playing tons of board games, making late night ice cream runs, playing video games together, reading books, wrestling, watching movies… I can go on and on. I know my kids need sleep, so this would never work during the school year, but with our later wake-up calls… our late nights are totally do-able and WORTH IT!
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| Late night Mario Kart! |
Fewer fights: My son gets a lot of homework. Like a crazy amount, in my opinion. By the time I get to review it (if my husband didn’t have time) it is 7:30 at night, and who wants to re-do any homework at that time? No one! So we usually have our fair share of fights over homework or missed assignments. This summer it has been so nice not to deal with those battles.
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| Relaxing after work… No homework for anyone! |
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| Ice Cream… why not? It’s SUMMER! |
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| We enjoyed LOTS of fun cousin time! |
Less to do: The school year is busy. There are class parties, plays, book fairs and lots and lots of birthday party invitations. While I really don’t mind most of these things… I’m not going to lie, it is nice to have a few months off.
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| We hit up all the indoor play places when we needed to beat the heat |
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| We love the beach! |
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| Bye, summer! We will miss you! |
So there you go… 4 reasons why this working mom is bummed that summer is over. How do you feel about the start of the school year? Do you like getting back into a regular routine?
I totally hear ya on not wanting to say bye to summer! Although living in Florida we are lucky we get some weather a lot longer than most! I refuse to say goodbye to summer until past September though, there is still plenty of time for beaches, ice cream and BBQs around here 🙂
yes we do get to cheat a bit here… and Labor Day is right around the corner, so you are right… there is still some summer fun to be had! 😉
I agree! I'm not ready for the routine of it all and although tiring, I enjoy both girls being with me throughout the day. Our schedules are so flexible and I feel much more carefree about how our day goes. One positive thing about school starting is that my daughter will be able to see more of her friends (again). She needs that interaction because there aren't many kids in our neighborhood.
Oh thats good that she can look forward to seeing her friends again.. I bet it makes getting back into a groove easier!
I do love having a good routine, but I know I'll love staying up late and sleeping in with the kids. I'm like you, during the summer, stay up late and enjoy! Sounds like you guys had a great summer with a ton of family time!
Yes next week is going to be a stuggle for my sweet boy to wake up… we have been doing test wakeup calls.. and he is like, "did I always wake up this early last year?" haha
What a beautiful family you have! Back to school season is always crazy then followed up by the fall and holiday season (which always flies by)! Great post!
Thank you! Yes at least I have fall to look forward to! 😉 Have a wonderful week!
I agree! Summers for working moms can definitely be easier because the schedules are a little more flexible. I love the snuggle time. That makes us feel just as good as the kids. I also hear you about all the homework. Since our website is educational, we've been following the stories on CNN about kids having way too much homework now. It makes it tough for both kids and parents. I'm really sad to see the summer come to an end too, but hopefully it will be a good school year.
I loved your post about homework today… I am going to try those tips to prevent fights this year! 🙂
Totally get what you mean. Even though I work from home (and don't get much done during the summer), it's an easier, lazier, funner schedule. I will miss it!
It must be really tough to get work done from home during the summer!! Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful week!
I totally understand what you are saying. I can't believe school starts so early for kids.
I know! It's horrible! I think one hour later would make a huge difference. Have a wonderful week and thanks for commenting!
I'm right there with ya sista! I hate saying goodbye to summer for many reasons..back to work, the rain starts arriving in the NW and many more reasons..lol. This summer is especially hard to let go…both kids gone…empty house..:/ Have a great back to school transition!
Thank you! It will be interesting I am sure.. Have a wonderful week!
I hear you on not wanting summer to be over. My little-man is starting pre-k next week (yes, I have every intention of being that crying mom at drop off!), so this is our first "back to school." I know that I will miss our laid back, non-scheduled time once it ll starts!
Oh my gosh, I still cry on the first day of school.. no matter what age! I hope the transition goes well and that your sweet boy enjoys Pre-K!
I totally get where you're coming from! I'm a teacher so I have the summers off – so it's a bit different in our household! But I can appreciate where other working parents are coming from!
You must be so busy right now getting ready! I hope you have a wonderful year and get a great class of kids! 🙂
I am so with you on all these reasons! I love letting my kids stay up late and not be on a schedule… I mean, isn't that part of Summer break? I love your pictures, you have the cutest kids!
Thank you so much!! We will see if I regret all those late nights next week.. haha
We didn't let our kids stay up too late, but I am dreading the early wake up time. 6am for us….out the door by 6:50. YIKES!
Yes that is early.. we can get away with leaving at 7:40.. but I still think my little man is going to be a bit grumpy! 😉
Hello Lauren! Hands down, summer is my favorite season. I love the warm weather and the fabulous vibe that it creates for children and families. It's always bittersweet to transition back into a new school year. Another milestone. Another year of childhood left behind. I understand exactly how much you'll miss the wonderful days of summer with your children. It's a feeling of nostalgia that brings back incredible memories from our own childhood of the lazy, wonderful carefree days of summertime!
I know.. fall is kind of sad! I guess thats why we have all the fun fall holidays to help us recover! 😉
I get why people maintain a regular schedule throughout summer but I'm with you! Summer is about watching the sun go down while still playing outside, a little too much ice cream and fun mornings! You're such a good mom to be so involved and let the sched slide a bit <3
We will see if I made the right choice when I try to wake them up for school next week! ha!
I feel the same way. School started this week and I don't get to "sleep in" anymore. Work starts at 9:30 for me, so now I get to work way earlier than I'm supposed to (I sit in my car and read), but I still don't get off until 6:30 or 7 at night.
Yes I go into work later too.. my boss will be happy to see me earlier I suppose.. 😉
I totally feel you on the late bedtime! Ella still has her 7pm bedtime, but it's so much more relaxed to let Ayden stay up til 9:30 or 10 instead of rushing him off to bed at 8:30!
I know! I love getting the extra time with them since I gt home so late! Hope your kids school year is off to a good start!
I'll miss those things too – school does start much too early! But I'm really looking forward to some cooler weather
Yes I do love the fall holidays!
I hear you! I am not looking forward to the super-early days when school begins. Why so early? WHY????
It is CRAZY how early they make these kids wake up!
Beautiful kids! Although I am not a mother, I can totally understand the back to school drama! I'm a full time student and I too have to kiss those things good bye. Hope this school year goes smooth!
Yes it does feel the same way going back to school full time!!
Your kids are so cute!! I miss those school days! Thanks for sharing
Thank you for stopping by and taking the time to comment! have a wonderful weekend!
aweeee- I'm going to miss Summer too!
I know.. so sad! 🙁
Great photos and I'm with you sister!! Sleeping in, no homework and late night ice cream runs…is there more to life!?!?!
haha… if there is, I don't want to know about it!
i love getting back to a normal routine but i always miss summer too! but i know a lot of working moms who appreciate summer!
We're definitely a little more relaxed about evening bedtime during the summer even though nothing about our schedule changes between summer and the rest of the year (for now!). I wish Eve slept a little later. The latest she sleeps is 7:30 and that's super rare!
I love that you stay up late with your children during summer. We try to do that on weekends as well. Life gets so busy and having any extra time seems like a gift.