Why I Can’t Wait for My Kids to Leave for the Summer…
There’s a countdown calendar written on a chalkboard right above the shoe rack in my mudroom. It’s the first thing you see when you walk in my house and if you walk in today you’ll see that there are 30 days until the end of school…but in my head…the countdown is really 35 days because that’s the day my kids leave me for the summer.
If I’m being totally honest, I cannot wait for them to leave. I cannot wait to have quiet throughout the house, a laundry room that isn’t piled over and a grocery bill I can manage, but most of all…I’m happy they are leaving because they get to spend time with their dad for eight weeks.
My children’s father lives in a different state and it’s tough on them. I get to see the delight on their face when he calls. I hear the excitement in their voice when they talk about visiting him…and sometimes I hear them cry because they miss him so much. And I’d like to think that I provide everything for them and they’d never want for anything more..but the truth is..they want their dad, they need their dad.
When we originally drafted a custody agreement that gave him both children for the entire summer, I worried that I would be lonely or that I was missing out on summer fun with the children. It was selfish really, because what I realized is that I was giving the kids something they needed, yearned for and wanted…time with their dad.
Now don’t get me wrong, I don’t agree with everything their dad does. He lets them stay up too late, he lets them watch movies he probably shouldn’t and the rap music in the car..well…I’ll just leave it at that. But the truth is…what he does when he’s with them is his business and the relationship that they form as result is so important to their development into adolescence and adulthood.
So while I want to be the one taking them to the waterpark this summer or camping under the stars, I’m happy to know that they’ll be doing those things with someone who loves them just as much as I do…plus the laundry thing will be nice too..did I mention that already? 🙂
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Do you ever miss them once they are gone and miss that energy or do you enjoy the summer in a clean empty home?
LOL! I usually enjoy the first 2 weeks and then start to miss them something fierce 🙂
Dads are important and it’s awesome that you are cognizant of them needing time with their dad. I can’t imagine how much I would miss them for 8 weeks but thank up u for being supportive and being a great example!
I gotta tell you, I would Probably love the first week, maybe two then I would miss them like crazy. Enjoy your summer!
Yup…that’s how it usually goes 🙂
No mom guilt here! Summer vacation for mom sounds wonderful and I have to admit I was wishing I’d get summer off from mom duties too. Your perspective of your children’s father and their relationship is so mature and respectful.
Thank you! It took me several years to get there 😉
This is an interesting perspective! Thank you for being honest. I totally agree that children need to have time with both of their parents and it just as enjoyable knowing they are getting the love they need. Great post ❤︎
Aw! It’s wonderful that they do get to spend that time with him and it’s definitely a bonus for you that you have less laundry, less money spent on groceries, etc. I would be counting down the days too! 😉
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Curious why he doesn’t live closer? He is missing out on an awful lot. Being present matters.
He would love to live closer. However, he’s in the military and moves around a lot 🙂
I love this post! I/we are currently enjoying the same summer break as the boys spend time with their mother in another state for the summer. We will, of course, miss them. But, we’re totally ready to enjoy a clean house, more food (that we don’t have to share), more free time/date nights, more sleep, no referring fights over toys, and saving a little money. Excellent post!