My kids are done with school on Friday.
Friday.
Which means no more respite from Olivia from me between the hours of 8 and 3.
I’m scared. Somebody hold me.
I love summer, always have. I love the no schedule, the weather, the freedom, baseball, swimming, popsicles, vacation and all of that stuff.
But I miss my break. Even though I’m working during the day, it’s just a nice mental break to not have to constantly worry about what Olivia’s doing or what trouble she’s causing.
Because lately? She’s been a total pill. She doesn’t listen, she’s sassy (Geez! Calm down Mommy!), she’s into everything that she’s not supposed to be, she’s making messes, she’s whiny. In short, she’s making me crazy.
I’m so worried that I’m going to be insane by the end of the summer. Literally insane.
Even the pool, which is usually my savior because, even though I can’t be one of those lucky Moms reading a book in a lounge chair, I can mentally relax while she swims. However, we’ve been to the pool 3 times now and I haven’t relaxed one bit. She’s in, she’s out, she’s trying to get into the baby pool, she’s trying to go on the lifeguard walk, she’s trying to go to the deep end, she’s trying to go off the diving board, she’s sitting in other people’s chairs, she’s getting her shoes and throwing them in the water. I’m hoping this is just because the water’s still cold…but I’m scared it’s not.
I’m exhausted just thinking about my summer. And I don’t want to be. I want to enjoy summer. I want to soak it up, so to speak. I’ve just got to figure out a way to do it while keeping Olivia happy and safe.
Wish me luck.
Elastamom's Excerpts 
Oh boy, does this sound familiar! I have dreaded summer for years! Somehow we always get through it though. The best thing is just to forget about unessential stuff and focus on enjoying the day. So what if the house is a mess? Go to the pool! Go to the library! (Those two wonderful places are my salvation! Beth will do just about anything I ask if the poll or library is involved!) Enjoy your last few days!
wishing you ten tons of luck 🙂 as a teacher, i enjoy summer vacation so i can re-gear up my brain for the next school year. as a parent, sometimes i need a break from summer vacation!! maybe it IS just the cold water and olivia will soon be swimming like a little fish and you can get a bit of a mental break here and there 🙂
Hopefully having a break from school will be what Olivia needs too. Good luck and I hope this summer is relaxing and fun.
I know what you mean about always being on guard. Exhausting. Wishing you luck for sure!
Wishing you tons of luck also! I too have this anxiety at this point also! Makenna has been sassy and bratty recently and I am afraid I will not make it through with her. Last night on the ride home I reminded Drew that we start following my rules now and not his teacher’s. He was quick to remind me that I am much meaner than her 🙂 Happy summer!
Sending you hugs, luck, and bucketfuls of patience. And wine.
I’m wishing you luck! I hope the swimming experience gets better, and that this is just a short stage for Olivia!
Wish you luck Tiffany! Hoping by mid-summer, you and Olivia do get to relax poolside.
I soooo feel your pain! Let’s hope this summer turns out better than either of us expect!
You forgot to mention the fence!!! That is a lot to worry about. She is just growing and becoming so independent!!! That is great, but definitely worry some. I hope you can find a way to get your break and get your time by the pool! I would offer to babysit but I don’t know how we could work that one out…
Good luck! I am not going to lie, this is one of the things that overwhelms me when I think about the future, Lily getting harder to handle. I worry about staying sane, and creating experiences for my other kids. The only thing that keeps me from freaking out is to stay in the moment and not obsess about what the future might hold! Please let me know what kind of solutions you come up with and how things turn out. It will help me feel confident that there are solutions out there….
Oh, I feel you on this one. The constant demand for attention, the constant need for supervision, it’s tough. I wish you luck and patience and hey, maybe some kind friends/relatives who will come take all three kids off your hands for a few hours every couple of weeks.
All I can say is, ME TOO! To all the apprehension about summer, and to all the good wishes above. One thing that helped me last year was to plan an October getaway for myself… something to really look forward to after this mom’s “busy season”!
Best of luck to you. As always, we’re here if you need us. And, the cabinet is always stocked with wine 🙂
Oh boy. Hang in there and breathe. That’s all you can do. Oh and have some ice cream.
Hey – I get it. I was so sad when Elisabeth had her last day on Wednesday because it means I’m in charge for the whole summer – which is fine, but sending her off to school is always a nice break [mentally and physically] during the days.
Good luck!