Summer is always a different kind of time. The routines of work and school are all changed (or non-existent). Summer can be busier than the regular school year, or it can be more relaxed, or maybe a mix of both.
At our house, this summer is definitely weird. Kiddos are home, but Sweetie is also not working at a job (though he’s looking for work and will be taking a course in the Fall). So Dad and the kiddos are all home with me, nearly all day, every day. Sweetie has many meetings that he’s been going to – ministering to local ministers, planning with local pastors and other ministries, etc. – but he’s home lots, too. The dynamic of everyone in the house nearly all the time is a bit weird.
So far, our best days are when I’ve imposed an hour and a half of ‘time in your room’ in the afternoons. This is different from ‘quiet time’ or ‘time out’ – it’s not a punishment, though the kiddos might think it is. It’s just time when they play on their own in their rooms. Sweetheart almost always reads a book and the boys play Lego or other stuff like that. Having that hour and a half sure helps to get them out of each other’s space, as well as to give them all a break from each other.
And it gives me a break from their constant banter!
We do have days where we are out and about, and they go to the park or off to some other adventure. But this summer is particularly weird because of the time I’m needing to spend on building my new business. That’s tougher when I don’t have a block of time during the day when everyone is otherwise occupied (like when they are all at school). But, it’s getting done. I’m trying to balance work and play time. After all, it is the kiddos summer and they shouldn’t have to ‘suffer’ because I have to work!
We’re figuring it all out, but this summer is most certainly weird!
