This is kind of our first "normal" summer. Last summer, the littles were still so traumatized, and JUST coming out of the 'honeymoon' phase--I think we were just trying to not drown!
I don't know if it's Utah, or if other Moms feel pressure to make each and every day special...but I was feeling really overwhelmed. Our littles, too, for whatever reason, have a 'Disneyland' mentality that we struggle with a lot. (have insight? Do share on that one!)
Anyhow--what is working for us now is to alternate days. Tuesday and Thursdays I refuse to go anywhere, or figure out anything fun for them--only slight facilitating their own ideas. M,W,F, I surprise them with the 'fun thing for the day'--pool, a movie, snow cones, ect. This is helping a lot! Two days a week, THEY are learning to hunt bugs, self entertain, play in a normal way, do chores, and BE BORED--which I think is so good for them. And on those other days, we do something great!
I am feeling a lot less frazzled, and they are slowing down, emotionally, and becoming more appreciative of what we do!
I just wish I had more time with my teens! Both when they were 5 and 7, and now. I get the supreme blessing of parenting this age again--but it won't bring any time back with my daughters!
