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Those long, free days are starting to get a little old
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Published: August 7, 2008
There's a stench in the air. If you're a parent or a kid, you don't have to breathe too deep to notice it. If you're neither, you may not notice it at all. The smell of stale summer.
Camps are winding down, beach trips are ending, and back-to-school ads are creeping into newspapers. Most parents' bags of tricks are just about empty. The swimming pools that were so refreshing in May and filled with enthusiastic kids are now bath-water temperature and half-filled with kids going through the motions. I've seen parents at the grocery store wearing a furrowed brow because of misbehaving kids in toe. And I know I'm staring at a mirror image of myself.
My kids and I have spent every single day together since May 25. That's a lot of "quality time."
Don't get me wrong, we're having a blast. But we're also really sick of each other. My son and daughter play great together. But even best friends have their "get out of my face" moments. These moments have increased quite a bit over the past week.
Yes, we are definitely approaching the final chapters of this novel titled Summer Vacation 2008. But instead of sighing and eye-rolling my way to the end, I'm really hoping to enjoy the remaining pages of this work in progress. If you want to do the same, might I offer the following suggestions:
- Visit your local ice cream shop on a weekday afternoon;
- Stay in your pajamas until after lunchtime;
- Catch lightning bugs;
- Let the kids stay up late just one more night;
- Read a book;
- Take a nap;
- Write a letter to a friend;
- Avoid the computer for an entire day; and
- Talk with your kids.
You may be curious about my choice for end-of-summer activities. Ever wonder why they call August the dog days of summer? Dogs are lazy. Dogs don't have a care in the world. Spend these last remaining summer days doing things you otherwise couldn't do, things you remind yourself to do but never seem to have time for. Not having enough time is the motto for fall, winter and spring. Let summer be the season of having too much time — and loving every minute of it.
I'm hoping that putting these suggestions in writing will make me step up to the same challenge. Instead of counting down the dog days, I hope to make them count.
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