Friday, April 28, 2017

Why We Didn't Use Schedules in the Summertime

I still keep up with the school schedule not only because of teacher daughter but also because old habits die hard. When you raise 4 daughters certain norms develop in your life that tend to stick forever. Add to that the fact that you were a full-time volunteer at their schools and when they grew up and left your nest empty you decided to take a teaching position in their elementary school keeping up with the county school schedule becomes etched in wherever it is life stuff gets etched. I was still getting up in the mornings the same time I did when my life was school oriented until a couple months ago. Now, I let myself sleep all the way to 6;00 some mornings.

Keeping up with the school schedule is beneficial especially when towards the end of the year. The practice enables you to:

  • know when the traffic is going to be less stressful at least twice each day
  • know you need to be careful around the neighborhood when driving through
  • know when your teacher friends are going to be ready to hang out without looking tense and sucking down margaritas like there's no tomorrow...just kidding, they'll still do the latter
  • know when you don't have to worry about your teacher daughter driving 30 minutes through traffic on one of the most dangerous roads in Charleston County to get to her school
  • know when the county breathes a collective sigh of relief
  • know, if you're a teacher you are one year closer to retirement
If you have school aged kiddos, knowing the end of the year schedule sparks a pep in your step because you know:
  • when packing those school lunches is almost over for the summer or a break
  • all the extra work of putting on luncheons, room mom-ing, stressing over homework and schedules is coming to a much-desired end
  • your kids' stress over testing is quelled for a couple months
  • you get a break from running yourself crazy between school and after school activities
  • no summer PTA meetings 
  • having to do the laundry whether you want to or not because the kids need to wear clothes to school
  • NO SETTING THE ALARM
  • no worrying about which programs to join
  • no fundraisers
  • you're one year closer to an empty nest
Ahhh, summer. When it arrives all who are in any way remotely connected with the schools breathes easier once again able to relax for a minute. Unless you're one of those moms who puts their kids into every conceivable summer program out there. I was not that mom.

Kids should relax and be kids in summer. 

Summer time in our household meant slow, easy days and nights. We played the one day at a time card all summer long. We lazed around, we went to the beach (this was a daily practice since it's only 3 miles away), we went to the pool, we read, we watched movies, we had cookouts, basked in the sun, ran around the yard, visiting grandparents, went to the lake, celebrated birthdays, walked nature trails, rode bicycles... We enjoyed our summer without such joy stealers as schedules. Summer time was a time for my girls to just be kids. 

Summer busy is different from school year busy. 

I suppose you could say our summers were busy if, by busy you mean full. Of fun. Of relaxation. Because summer busy is different from school year busy. One means active, one means work. One means slow and easy, the other means fast and furious. One means smelling the roses, the other means mowing down the roses so they don't distract you. 

Summer heat is not something I like one little bit. But summer focus? I'm always on board with summer focus. Even in an empty nest. 

Surf's up, dudes! 

Are you on board with a relaxed summer focus? 



Please visit my Etsy shop, CoasterDoodles!
There's a special running through the month of April!
$10.00 OFF your purchase of $30.00 or more! 




19 comments:

  1. I'm looking forward to focusing on retirement come August 1st this summer!

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    1. I know you will love it! I'm so excited for you!

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  2. Retirement is a long way off for Tim but I said the next 10 years will pass pretty quick. During school holidays we don't have schedules we just take each day as it comes

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  3. I wish. But summer, spring, winter or fall, I must still go to work. At least for a while yet.

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    1. I was able to stay at home with the girls. We gave up a lot but decided to go with it anyway. I wouldn't change it but I do wish I had found a way to make money so I could be independent now.

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  4. Although retired, I too am fully on board with a 'relaxed summer focus'. Great post!
    Thank you for sharing this at #BloggingGrandmothersLinkParty.

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    1. Thank you! I quit teaching last year to stay home with my very first grandchild. Now I'm thinking I should have continued teaching. I am exhausted. LOL Thank you! I love the Grandmother's party! Everyone visits!

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  5. Sadly, my full-time job doesn't let up just because it's summer. Still, I love summertime for the longer daylight hours and the warmer temps. Thanks for linking up at #BloggingGrandmothersLinkParty. I shared your post on Twitter.

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    1. That was one thing I loved about teaching even though my kids were all grown up before I took the job and I hosted computer camps in the summer. It was still nice not to have such a rigid schedule. Thanks!

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  6. Thank you Pam for linking up at the #BloggingGrandmothersLinkParty. I shared this post on Facebook, Google+, Pinterest, and Twitter.

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    1. Thank you for all you do for us blogging Grandmothers! :)

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  7. I totally agree and not just for kids. I do not like a vacation when every single moment is planned. On vacation, I want to sleep later than usual, stay up later than usual and just do things I don't normally do and I do not want a strict schedule. I rarely eat dinner with the captain when I'm on a cruise because I don't want to have to eat at a certain time every night and get dressed to boot. Nope, let's all just relax. Thank you for sharing with #BloggingGrandmothersLinkParty. I’ve shared your post on social media.

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    1. I agree! Planning what you're going to do on vacation seems such a waste to me. It's vacation for goodness sakes! :) Thank you!

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  8. I have a teacher daughter and keep up with the school schedule because of her and grandkids. My two daughters and I are planning a fun summer with the kiddos! Thank you for sharing on BloggingGrandmothersLinkParty. I've shared on social media.

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    1. Oh I know that is going to be one FUN vacation! Thank you!

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  9. Thank you for sharing at #BloggingGrandmothersLinkParty. I'm sharing your post on social media.

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    1. Thank you! It's my favorite linky party! Everyone visits and comments, I love that!

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  10. Another great post and I totally agree. I think children have far too many demands on their time these days. They don't have time to enjoy being children and playing and using their imagination. Children need down time just as much as adults. Thanks for sharing with us at #BloggingGrandmothersLinkParty. I've shared.
    Sue from Sizzling Towards 60 & Beyond.

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Thank you so much for taking the time to comment! It makes me feel connected to everyone even though we may live far apart! Have a wonderful day!

 
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