Monday, July 15, 2013

Summer Slump

This is how Dictionary.com defines a slump:


Well, I think we may have hit what I am dubbing as our "Summer Slump."  Maybe I should explain exactly what I mean.



You know how it is even before summer starts.  We are counting down the final days of school.  We are hustling and bustling between sports events, end of year parties, and graduations.  We make a Summer Bucket List of all the fun things we want to do.  We CANNOT wait for summer to begin!

And, then, finally, it's here!!!  We celebrate by sleeping in and by spending hours in the pool.  We go on vacation and take trips to see family.  We love summer vacation!!!

Toward the end of summer, we quickly spiral back into the school routine.  For our family, August begins with a birthday blitz when my hubby and two of my three daughters all have birthdays within a 5 day span.  After that, we will have about two weeks until the first day of school.  Those two weeks will be spent shopping, sorting out schedules, and trying to squeeze every last ounce of fun we can from the summer.

The beginning is exciting.  The end is hectic.  It's the middle that gets us.  And, that's where we are now - right smack in the middle.  We are beginning week 5 of our 11 week hiatus from school and schedules and all things "busy."

We have checked off 14 of the 25 things on our bucket list plus done a couple extra things.  We don't currently have any additional trips planned.  This week and next, I anticipate the Summer Slump will fully set in.  The repeated "I'm bored" statements will commence.  I'm already feeling like I haven't had a moment to myself in weeks and that doesn't appear to be changing in the coming days.  The children are obviously getting a little tired of each others' company as well, evidenced by the increased amount of bickering that occurred over the weekend.   Our routine is lazy - late to bed, late to rise.  By the time we get ourselves dressed and presentable, the days are already halfway gone.

So how do you get out of a slump??  Well, my dad, a veteran baseball coach and sports enthusiast, would say you just have to keep stepping up to the plate.

We have two weeks.  Then, we'll have a week of Vacation Bible school bedlam, the aforementioned birthday madness, and the final two-week downhill high speed slide back into school.  We'll be left wondering "Where did the summer go??"  And, I'm always left wondering "Did we really make the most of it?"

So, is it possible to enjoy a slump???  The word is inherently negative, but I certainly hope these two weeks will not be inherently bad.

For now, we'll ride out this slump.  Maybe we'll cross  a couple more things off of our bucket list.  Maybe we'll come up with a spontaneous little trip.  Maybe we'll call up some friends for a playdate or two.   Maybe we'll just live into the lazy without feeling guilty.

How about you??  Have you hit your Summer Slump???  What are you doing for the rest of summer??


24 comments:

The Dose of Reality said...

OMG, this is my life! June flew by, and I know August will be the same way but we are limping through July. I need to remember in future summer planning that I should schedule all camps in July! ;) Love this post!-Ashley

Linda_Roy_elleroy_was_here said...

You're doing great - I'm impressed! I think our entire summer has been a slump so far. The kids didn't get out of school until the last week of June due to all the days they had off for Hurricane Sandy and then they just sort of wound down and enjoyed being home for the first week. The second week their Grandma came to visit and we were able to go to the zoo, but the temps have been so high that we can't go out anywhere. Too hot for everything! This week it's in the 90s all week! It's either that or rain. So it'll be movies this week and maybe a museum? Our vacation will be in August and I'm gearing up for BlogHer in a little over a week. I can't believe it's already mid July!!

Jessica Cobb said...

We're just starting our slump... and it will only last for 2 weeks, but I'm going to enjoy the hell out of it. I love not feeling like I HAVE to be anywhere and days where we can just hang out in our pajamas until it's bedtime again. But we're also preparing for The Kraken's arrival in early September, 2 of the Cabin Kids have birthdays the first week of August, and Captain's name is in a pool for a new job halfway across the state, so it's a pseudo-slump.

Lisa @ The Golden Spoons said...

Thanks, Ashley!!! "Limping through July." That is a perfect metaphor! Thanks for sharing this, too!

Lisa @ The Golden Spoons said...

I can't believe it's mid-July either! I rained here pretty much every day for 3 weeks. THis week it is finally going to feel like summer, but that means temps in the mid 90's. Looks like we will be spending a lot of time in the pool!

Lisa @ The Golden Spoons said...

I hope I can enjoy our slump, too! I keep reminding myself that it is not my job to entertain the kids every minute of every day. And with two August babies myself, I feel for you being pregnant during the summer! You totally deserve to enjoy your time!

Considerer said...

11 weeks is LONG! Kids here haven't even broken up for summer yet. They get 6 weeks :) Try these things, but don't worry about your kids getting bored - boredom is the mother of imagination. And if they don't feel like playing ball, offer them chores to do til they think of something better...! http://www.buzzfeed.com/alannaokun/creative-and-inexpensive-ways-to-keep-kids-busy

Carisa Miller said...

This is my first slump! I didn't think summer would feel much different, given that our almost four year old was only in preschool a total of nine hours each week. But these days are soooo looooong. Our one and half year old is a freight train so any outside time consists mostly of me chasing her and pulling down off of things. I'm feeling tired and uninspired, but I like the idea you posed of 'living in the lazy'. We've already certainly embraced our extended pajama wearing!

Sarah @ LeftBrainBuddha said...

I like "live into the lazy without feeling guilty." In fact, when I clicked on this, I had a positive image of a Summer Slump in mind.... I think that's what summer should be {though without the I'm boreds and bickering}!

Raquel said...

No slump here but it is going by too fast for me. Already the middle of July, and August will be here before you know it. Like that you are hitting your bucket list! Stopping from SITS

GrowingUpMadison said...

So slump for me. Been so busy with work that I didn't get a chance to actually relax. The kids will be back in school in a month and I'm so looking forward to it. :)

Lisa @ The Golden Spoons said...

That's what I 'm hoping - that boredom will lead to imagination, creativity, and cooperation!

Lisa @ The Golden Spoons said...

Oh yes - the extended pajama wearing is a must in the summer!

Lisa @ The Golden Spoons said...

It is what it should be - I have to remind myself that it's not my job to entertain hem 24/7 because summer should be relaxing for everyone, including me! :-)

Lisa @ The Golden Spoons said...

Definitely going by too fast! Thanks for stopping by! Hope you'll come again!

Lisa @ The Golden Spoons said...

I'm sure by the time my kids go back I will be ready, too. We have about 6 more weeks, though.

Melissa E said...

Our summers are typically spontaneous! Maybe we will plan a trip but mostly they are on a whim. We like to keep it entertaining, but I like spontaneous.

Lisa @ The Golden Spoons said...

I'm usually more of a planner, but during the summer I have to let go a little and take it as it comes!

Norine, Science of Parenthood said...

I try to avoid the slump by scheduling as many weeks of day camp as I can. Otherwise I get hit with the I'm Bored's too.

Jean said...

I don't know where I heard this but when we fall in love we have to eventually let the crazy fire we felt at first simmer or else our heads will explode from all the excitement. Could this apply to a family enjoying summer vacation too? That there has to be a slump and that people will get bored but to just go with it instead of worrying that the summer will be unappreciated somehow. I don't know. I always felt this too when I was teaching. But, then again, if summer was all fun all the time then they wouldn't want to return to their friends and teachers in the fall.

Lisa @ The Golden Spoons said...

I've tried that, Norine, but then I get tired of the same old running around and end up wishing we had time to just be lazy and relax. It's a catch 22!

Lisa @ The Golden Spoons said...

I think that definitely applies. The excitement we feel at the beginning of summer (or love or anything) eventually wears off. That's where we are now. The excitement is gone, but we're still going to make the most of it!

Norine, Science of Parenthood said...

It really is. I'm a workaholic, so I really do need my son occupied for a good portion of the day, otherwise he would play video games or watch cartoons while I worked. This is the downside of having an only -- no siblings to play with. At least when he's in camp, just a few short minutes a way, I know he's outside, playing with kids his own age. And then I can get what I need to get done, done and be more attentive when he comes home in the late afternoon. That's my THEORY anyway. :)

Lisa @ The Golden Spoons said...

I think that's a good theory. This week I have been totally stressed trying to do blog stuff, helping to organize our church's VBS, and every time I sit down to do something, one of my kids inevitably needs me for something else. This is a week I wish I had done the camps! :-)

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