Before the school year ended, Kristen Hewitt had big plans to be a "good mom" this Summer [1]. She was going to institute chore charts, reading goals, and writing practices for her girls while they were home.
"There would be no screen time until the beds were made, and planned activities for each day [2] of the week," Kristen shared on Facebook. However, on their first day of Summer vacation [3], Kristen had a scheduled beach day planned but instead, this is what they did: they lounged in their pajamas until 11 a.m., baked chocolate chip cookie brownies, started an art project that they never finished, and then headed to the pool.
"It's so easy to be pressured by things we see on social. Ways to challenge our kids and enrich their summer. But let's be real — we're all tired," she wrote. "Tired of chores, tired of schedules and places to be, tired of pressure, and tired of unrealistic expectations."
So instead of sticking to her schedule, Kristen has a new Summer plan for her family: to do "literally NOTHING."
There will no longer be any camps, classes, or curriculums for the girls. "Instead, we're going to see where each day takes us," she wrote. "I've dubbed this the 'Summer of Me,' so workouts and clean eating are a priority for me. And also giving our girls the freedom to pick what THEY want to do."
That doesn't mean that the girls are going to sit around bored all day. Kristen explained that they are considering checking out swim programs at the local pool or joining their YMCA, but whatever they do, it's going to be low-key. "It will include family time, too much TV, a few trips, lots of sunshine, some new roller skates, water balloons, plenty of boredom, rest, relaxation, and reading. (Because mama likes to read!)," she wrote. "So if you haven't figured out what you're doing this Summer, you're not alone. And guess what? It's OK! Your kids will be fine and so will you."