Less than a month from now Burke County school’s will swing their doors open to release children on Summer Break. After a chilly winter and far too many days cooped up we are all ready to overload our systems with genuine Vitamin D. There are many opportunities for fun, learning and outdoor adventures to be had during summer in Morganton.
That’s exactly what I want to chat about.
Summer brings on a big old case of FOMO for me. In case you don’t know that’s “Fear of missing out”. It’s a real thing. Library reading program, art camps, summer sports, Vacation Bible Schools, outdoor adventures, playdates, swim lessons, family vacations…need I go on? It’s hard to choose what we say “Yes!” to.
If you have a rising kindergartner that means you have, at best, 13 summers together before they fly the coop. Reading that sentence is like a weight on my chest. I want to soak up these long days of blissful fun, but the temptation is to over pack the summer. If I am totally honest I am TIRED! I have three kiddos ranging from infant to 6 1/2. I need coffee in an IV on the daily and a summer long nap. I adore summertime, but in another real sense wake me up when the pumpkin spice is back #amiright?
I believe it’s time to lower my expectations.
Maybe you find yourself in a similar place. You’re excited for summer days, but you’re also struggling to know how to make it all work. Perhaps camps don’t fit the budget. Some of us are full-time working parents and keeping our children occupied is a must. Summertime can bring new and challenging rhythms.
Consider this your permission to breathe.
Make space in your days this summer to watch your kids run through the sprinkler. Wake up some mornings and cancel your plans in lieu of reading books in a hammock. Keep days open for unplanned adventures. Grab breakfast at the Morganton Farmer’s Market on a Saturday and take a hometown tour. Chase fireflies and let the dishes sit in the sink a 1/2 hour longer. It doesn’t have to be complicated. You just have to be present.
Pay attention to what you and your children need to have a happy, healthy, adventure filled summer and remember sometimes less is more. Your heart, your mind, and your worn out mama body will thank you!
With that said a well-planned summer can make all the difference. I crave balance which means I have to plan some things AND leave white space for rest and adventure.
Morganton Moms has your back with this awesome Summer Survival Guide. We’ll keep the list updated along with a monthly listing of local goings on. What’s great about our area is if you are keeping it simple and low key this summer it’s not because there is a lack of opportunities.
Need even more opportunities to connect with other parents and their kiddos? Join a local meet-up group like The Summertime Crew. Full disclosure: I started this group a few years back. We’re totally relaxed and exist just to connect for adventure in the summers!
When your child’s final summer at home comes they won’t complain about the camps they missed out on or the times they didn’t make it to the pool. What they will absolutely miss is the time spent with you. We can all rest assured that is time well spent.