by Sunda Croonquist

 

I am an oddity. I'm a mother that welcomes the end of the school year! I ENJOY being with my kids! We all enjoy it! But some mothers with more than two kids are actually mortified about the summer. Some moms really need and deserve a break. Economically, this year is not a great one for summer camps. 

I have one friend with four kids and one with five...ALL IN GRAMMAR SCHOOL! It costs a pretty penny to let these kids go to camp. A lot of families are making "alternative" plans for summer camp based on our country's "economic crisis." The lament is that some kids will have to be home instead of Day Camp...but there is a silver lining!

If this is what is.... take the time to ENJOY being with the kids! If you have a niece or nephew who is not in camp...take the time and spend it with them! Give the moms a break! Go to the aquarium or the zoo! OY! I have a lot of nerve... I hate the zoo.... but once I get there it's great to see the kids faces. Having kids at home in the summer is a tremendous amount of work but I will bet you this: You will appreciate the upcoming school year!

I'm typing, eyes half shut! Been up since 5:30 AM. Both girls bounding out of bed excitedly at 6:00 AM and the SLOWEST getting out of the house! They seem to be almost melancholy about their last day of school. I'm thinking to myself how kids must go through so much stress these days.

Now they have to complete "Rites of Passage!" this includes: shaving a beard for young boys or eyebrow and leg waxing for young girls...it must bring on anxiety! EYEBROW WAXING wasn't a thought for me in fourth grade! I wanted a new "10 Speed" bike! 

In the summer I reflect, thinking of my mother, Sandra. She's been gone about 4 years. This was OUR time of year! We would go milling around, getting ready for dance recitals and as I get my daughters ready for THEIR recitals, I miss her so much! I think of her smile in the sunshine. Unlike my kids, I never went to summer camp. I hung out with my family and kids from dancing class and of course, left Jersey for the Hamptons and Sag Harbor in NY with my Aunt Bobbi and Uncle Earl every summer. That was my summer camp!

Today, I took a closer look at my daughters schoolmates...I've seem them all since they could walk. These kids grew up fast since our "Mommy and Me Classes" and we've been at the same school since they could walk and consider it a second family. My girls will miss their school "family" but will see them in September.

For now, I look forward to my family being together this summer! At least I say that now!

Check in with me next week when I've lost my mind!

Stay tuned to VJ where we tell you like it was and like it is! And it's gonna be a cool summer!