At the Risk of Repeating Myself

Summer is kicking my butt.

I've had summers with my kids before, yes.

I often vow that we will do very little in the way of "forced" activities - I know that most of their school year is spent with homework, class work, sports and activities, and I really want my kids to have some time off. Not to mention, I need some time that isn't shuttling people here, there and everywhere.

I just always forget that, if they aren't somewhere else - then they are somewhere here.

I've been on two big trips this summer. I've seen a large uptick in my review work - and I'm super delighted about that, because they are good paying opportunities that help so, so much.

I'm speaking at Blogher in about 10 days. (Are you going? I have a ticket for HealthMinder day for one lucky reader - please let me know if I will see you there!) I'm being sponsored by Invisalign, a fact about which I am super delighted as it means that I get to go! AND - it means I'm going to have a great game for everyone to play - and five people will win BIG - as in gift cards.

If you are going to Blogher, you are going to want to find me.

I've picked up a new client - seriously, keep your eye on the review site if you are wise - because there is going to be some really great stuff going on over there pretty soon.

But each of those activites and responsibilities means work and effort and time. Concepts that ALL of you are familiar with, concepts that ALL of you struggle with - and it's just kicking my butt more than most.

I just wrote something long and angsty and ranty - and I deleted it.

You're welcome.

My kids are fighting, fighting, fighting, my house is in huge disarray, one of my kids who is old enough to know better is specializing in stupidity and aggravation -

And I just sent my kids over to swim so that I could work. Which, hello, means that now the guilt has come to visit - but that yelling, shrieking side of me needs to depart and it won't as long as there are people in my office crying, arguing, watching MTV on the stupid TV, playing music on an iPod without headphones (so Sister can hear!), asking me to explain simple predicates and how to find the square root and always, always with the name calling and the arguing.

I complained on my Facebook, and a teacher friend told me that she deals with kids for 9 months out of the year - we should be able to deal with them for three. After all, we gave birth to them.

I'm deep breathing like a locomotive. I'm about to hyperventilate, I'm so full of deep breathing. I've told people who are old enough to understand what I need from them, been completely crystal clear with the facts and those facts apparently have been classified as useless. You know, Mom has about three hours of work. If you let me do it without interruption, I'll take you swimming/to the beach/to the water park/buy you a pony - And each and every day those 3 hours of work magically morph into 6 or 8.

I've taken them to concerts. We've done the library. We have visited thrift stores, the water park, the beach - we've gotten new toys for birthdays, done creative crafts and painting, gone for ice cream and I've tried, almost every day, to find something that is fun.

I also want them to figure out how to amuse themselves without tv or electronics, so we've had down time as well.

Wherever the balance line is, I'm far from it.

I'm thinking that something has gotta give. I just hope it's not me.

______________

Positive Parenting Seminar info here - you wanna do this one, I promise

U by Kotex Tween update here

Several new Hallmark posts on CafeMom here

Several new Reynolds posts on CafeMom here and here and here

Review of Hershey's Simple Pleasures Chocolates

 

Comments

[Glenda Piper]

Tell that teacher to take a hike... ok I am not in a nice mood :-)

[Betsy]

and teachers also get breaks, a defined start and end time, other adults in the building to vent to, and...oh yeah...a PAYCHECK.

[Beth]

My neighbor and I always comment that July 15th is "done-with-summer-day". Every mom, and I mean every one of them, is done. And the kids are done with us too. Don't feel guilty about the pool thing. Chances are they need a break from you just as much as you need a break from them. My husband, bless his kind soul, had today off and took 1/2 of them (3) to the lake. I worked, cleaned, made a weeks worth of dishes, shopped for myself (didn't buy though) and didn't have to hear, "mom mom mom mom" for about 5 hours. He always says, a happy wife makes a happy life! I love him!!!!!

[Elizabeth]

I'm volunteering at HealthMinder day so I'll probably see you at some point Thursday.

I'm with Glenda - tell the teacher to take a hike. Being with kids 9 months for only 8 hours is not the same thing as 24/7 during summer.

[Mert]

Most kids I've seen are much more respectful of their teachers than their parents. And it makes sense; there is peer pressure to behave at school and definite punishments if they do not. Also, the teachers don't feel emotionally responsible for how their students are behaving. Or how the students will "turn out"- if they become violent felons or hobos no blames the teacher! But I know I always worried that the constant arguing was an indication they weren't fit for society or would end up in prison (or that I would for killing them!). Hang in there- I hope the summer passes quickly!

[surroundedbypenises]

Just registered for the seminar. THANK YOU for sharing.

[addy]

No magic words - sorry.... But, no guilt needed either. They need a break, you need a break, the pool needs loud and fun-loving occupants..... everyone wins;)

[Wendy]

AND teachers do NOT usually have siblings in the same class. There is NOTHING like sibling fights.

[kyooty]

My boys are not allowed to be in the same room with each other. LOL I sent 4 kids (2 of which were not mine but visiting) out on bikes. I even said "helmets? who needs helmets, I'm almost 40 and I never used a helmet until I was 35!) They looked at me funny and took off before I smartened up. I set up 2 tents in the yard and send them out to play board games in the afternoon. I delegated "get all the wet clothes out of the washingmachine for me or no one goes swimming" and "Does anyone know where the..." and sent them off looking for the item we do not own. Today though it's raining and so it's TV, ipod and computer day. shhhhhhhhhhhhh! they haven't noticed I'm online yet.

[KatieButler]

Let's just put it this way: I am not my best me (or mom) in the second half of summer. And the mess-making and bickering will be the death of me. Oy.

[Brandy]

I'm kind of hoping Summer moves along-NOW. That teacher gets to leave all those kids after her work day and has the summer off. Parents DON'T.
Hugs.

[Brenda]

I only have one child still at home, so my pespective is a bit different. I hate the routines of the school year. I am saddened that today marks the halfway point of summer vacation. : - ( (But once upon a time I felt as you do!!!)

[Luckyduck]

Teachers are parents, too.

[Amy]

Have that same thing happening while you are recuperating from surgery....= me

[Dominique]

I just signed up my kids for two weeks of sports camp starting tomorrow. All my plans of a carefree summer dissipated after returning from two vacations and seeing the kids on MineCraft all day long. I can't wait for the break. Especially because I'll be homeschooling the older one next year.

BTW, found you through the BlogHer Health Minder Day lineup. Looking forward to seeing you there, although I may be a bit bleary eyed from my early am flight : )

Cheers.