Are we there yet?

Not to a physical destination ... but back to the school year. 


Just a few days ago I was thinking to myself, "I can't believe the kids will be back in school in less than 2 months! We still have so much to do. So much fun to be had. So many great memories to create."


Last night, as I sipped chilled chardonnay, my thought changed to, "When will this end?"


It was one of those days where the kids don't appreciate anything you've done for them. They only want more. Even though they're almost 8 and 11, they don't seem to realize how much extra work it makes when they leave a trail of ice cream sandwich wrappers throughout the house, change clothes 5 times a day, traipse mud into the house, leave toys out for the dogs to snack on and are being driven to every great summer activity imaginable. They're smart kids. They're polite and respectful to adults. They know our expectations. They CAN be responsible, but life has become a free-for-all for them. 


Since the kids have gotten out of school, we've gone on a mini vacation, attended swimming lessons, scheduled countless playdates (which reminds me – I need to return a phone call), provided them with fun classes (animation, movie making, secret agent lab, LEGO camp), crafts galore and given them plenty of time to just run and play with their friends. 


And oh yeah, my husband and I still have jobs as owners of two companies.


So, when my friend Kim picked up her son from our house yesterday, we talked. Each spring she and I get out our calendars and color-code a plan for the summer including all of the fun I mentioned above. We watch each other's kids one day a week and shuttle them where they need – or want – to go. Since our sons are best friends (2 peas in a pod, she calls them), this is a wonderful treat for them and helps us both with our summer childcare needs. 


We talked about when we were kids. Our summer activities consisted of heading out the door after breakfast, running or biking around the neighborhood, and returning home for meals and bedtime. Sure, we're giving our kids plenty of those opportunities, too, but they just don't seem to appreciate ANY of the opportunities we give them. Yes, they enjoy them at the time – but then they come home and grump about wanting more. Shouldn't they be relaxed and happy? After all, the days are filled with fun instead of homework.


Kim and I (and our spouses) are the types of parents that expect our children to show respect and do age-appropriate chores – while also allowing them the freedom to be kids. But today's world seems to create such an entitlement mentality among young people. It's something we continue to combat – finding the balance between giving our children good opportunities without them taking it all for granted.


So, we continue to do our best as parents, knowing that we'll have those "good" days ... and days like yesterday. But they all come together to create another memory-filled summer. So here's to memories – cheers!