The question at hand, “Do summers get easier when kids get older?” The poor young mom who asked this of me probably thought I was some crazy person as my eyes got bigger and the laugh that just seemed to bubble up out of my gut spilled out in response to this question.
So sorry if I frightened you however guess laughing was better than screaming “Holy Hell NO!” While yes, it does get easier in the fact that children begin caring for themselves and the moment I began to be able to actually open a book or look at a magazine at the pool was a hallelujah moment, the truth be told, my answer is still no.
First teenagers are nocturnal creatures and when they come home from college it’s even worse. The other night my son who shall remain nameless, came in way after curfew to meet his adoring, kind and loving mother (that would be me), in the kitchen. Sometimes silence is priceless. Where have you been? No call, no text?
“Oh, yea sorry bout that. We were playing the game of Life,” spawn of mine informed me. Interesting that he was playing the game of Life when the person who gave him life now looked at her angel straight from heaven and thought, “Really? At this moment I could take that life away.”
You see when I don’t get to sleep, I’m cranky. Somehow my children hold jobs, make it to team practices on time, yet good old mom and dad are sleepy people.
Secondly, feeding times. As children grow, they eat more. Well, let me clarify my sons eat more. And more. And more. It never stops. My grocery bill this summer has been out of control, and yours truly is a coupon cutter.
My youngest son will come home from football and every day makes the “Grand Slam Breakfast” as if he was eating at Waffle House. Have to say that when my Ken doll is working from home, he likes this ritual. Then it’s shower number one. Next up, lunch and off to the YMCA for workout two. Mid afternoon snack is like a full blown meal, and usually requires a trip to Sonic or some other fast food entity (he pays for this). Next up speed training and then you guessed it, more food and another shower.
The kitchen is never clean and never empty of activity. Except the refrigerator and pantry as the wild boar travels in a “pack” so all the boys are over for meals. It’s a party, and hey my mom doesn’t care…
Third, when you have a child involved in high school sports the only time you have off the entire summer is “Dead Period.” The first part of my summer since my son was not driving yet was divided into increments of two hours: drive to practice, work for two hours, rush out the door, work for two more hours, drive to the next place….
Not kidding when I say that I fall into bed at night. Juggling a home, children and work presents some interesting challenges.
It makes me laugh when my 90 year old mother will say to me, “Sometime soon your going to miss this.” Yes, mom sure you are right, however in this moment of time can’t I just vent?
To all the stressed out mothers with children home for summer, hear ye hear ye, I bring you good news! School starts in a month! Makes me appreciate my children’s teachers in a whole new way.
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