I never, in a million years, imagined me saying this, but Summer is here. Oh crap. My oldest is going to finish preschool in a couple weeks, and I’m trying to plan ahead to ensure a fun Summer with minimal boredom and drama…She is the type of 4 year old (like all of them!) that needs lots of entertainment, and can’t be at home too long without serious consequences.

I don’t want to over schedule her – I’ve/she’s never been one for tons of classes or scheduled activities. We can play outside…that’s great. Water table, frisbee, nature walks – count me in! What about rainy days? Am I this dense that I can’t think of ideas? No. I have a toddler, too, and they both aren’t always entertained by the same things, so I need LOTS of choices.

I’m actually kind of terrified. Our toughest days are those where we stay home. My most stressful days are those when we go out for extended periods of time. What do I do?

You’d think I was brand new at this, but I’m not. My oldest is 4 1/2 and I’ve been home with her all along, but throwing #2 in the mix really makes things more challenging for me. I sometimes feel like I’m the only one who can’t occupy 2 kids of different ages without anxiety. The thought of taking the 2 of them to a crowded playground alone gives me the chills. The beach? By myself? No.

I may just have to bite the bullet and give it a chance. I really hope I surprise myself. Oh, but then we have to go through the process of putting sunblock on 2 squirming, unwilling little ones…and packing up lunches for everyone, and…STOP! Calm down. Take a deep breath.

I have become a homebody.

I can think of a million excuses why we shouldn’t go out: It’s too early. It’s too late. It’s too close to dinner. It’s too hot. It’s too sunny. It looks like rain. It’s too hard to get food for Abs (allergies). I hate packing up so much food for the day. Abs needs a nap. Abs just woke up. The list is truly endless.

Then I think back to being a kid. I could not imagine spending time inside on a beautiful Summer day. I don’t know if I ever did. I played in the rain, in the mud, in the dark. Any time I could be outside, I was. Do I really want my girls to have fond memories of fun, sunny Summer days sitting on the couch reading? Or, how about a fun game of Candyland while looking out at the beautiful weather? Sounds fun.

Ok. I’ll pack up for the playground now.

Related posts:

1. Back to School. Back to Sanity.
2. Back to School, Slacker Style
3. I was born without the ‘Missing my kids’ gene