Dear Summer Working Mom,
I noticed you pulling out your calendar in September to start planning even though summer was months away.
I spotted you waking up in the middle of the night last February to make sure that your kiddos were scheduled for their favorite camp when the registration opened at midnight.
I saw you budgeting for camps, childcare, and activities months in advance all while trying to strike a balance between fun and structure.
I heard you explaining to people that yes….you do still work full time in the summer.
I perceived you stressing over the tremendous amount of organization, communication and planning to navigate an inconsistent daily schedule.
I watched you limiting your social media in the summer months to avoid the comparison trap.
I see you feeling worried, inadequate and frazzled behind the scenes, but here’s what I see you actually doing.
I see you staying up late with your kids, going on ice cream runs, having movie nights, being more spontaneous and maximizing your time with them.
I see you relishing in the break from the crazy school schedule and letting your kids be bored enough in order to use their imaginations and play.
I see you feeling so excited when your kids are loving their camps and babysitters and the freedom from strict schedules.
I see you working behind your desk all day and loving your job [and the quiet and the air-conditioning] but wishing you could be in two places at once.
I see you appreciating summer and having a blast with your kids too.
I see the mixed bag of summer with all its joys and frustrations and pray that you will find contentment in this season just like any other. Because we are all a little sad when summer is over too. It goes by in a blink.
Love,
A Fellow Working Mom
Soooooooo insightful !
Soooooooo transparent !!
Soooooooo encouraging !!!!!
Cheers to the working mom who works at keeping it all going !
Thank you for this! I too am in academic advising and always get the question about getting summers off, lol! I just shared this to FB and feel super lucky that we have an awesome outdoor camp near our home for my six year old – he is having the time of his life!
I’ve seen this posted all over Facebook, and has posted it myself to a working moms group. Thank you for writing this.
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