It occurred to me yesterday that my kids have hit some major milestone. And strangely, while relieved, I'm totally cool with it. Perhaps I'm relaxing my ways as a mom.
I've gone from neurotic "DON'T TOUCH THAT!" woman to "Oh cool you moved the trampoline to the side of the pool so you can bounce right in it" lady. I've gone from "Clean up this mess and you'll get hurt, don't do it." to stepping over beach towels and shoes and "That's cool, we're insured." I'd say I've changed just a wee bit over just a few months. And I'm going with it.
The kids are 7 years-old now and going into 3rd grade. And it just seems like their social schemes have changed. Gone are the day of scheduled play dates. The kids beg to just hang out at home and play with the neighborhood kids. Granted, the neighbor kids have a pool and a trampoline in their back yard. But still.
So, yesterday, we stayed home, which is a rarity at my house. I like to go-go-go, and then crash and stay in bed for a day. It's been a while since I've actually been able to do the stay in bed part, but we did stay home. I resolved that I wouldn't work or blog or even get on the computer at all for the entire day. I cleaned though.
And what would normally drive me insane, is actually welcomed now. What the hell is wrong with me? Kids are in and out of my house all day. And I'm cool with it. As I type, Max and three of his buddies have come in to turn off The View so they can play Rock Band. The View wasn't that great anyway, and I'll learn more from them playing. So, I'm going with it. One of the three buddies is a new kid I've never seen before. They are multiplying.
The milestone is, they just play. They don't need me to chaperone, entertain, or better yet, let's be real, interfere. So, I've completely re-done my work/clean/workout schedules to take care of things in the middle of the day. And be available when ever they want. So far, it's working.
It's crazy to me that I've worked and paid for scheduling a lot of stuff for the kids to do this summer. They are in track club, Max is doing a basketball camp, Lucy is doing a vet camp. We're planning a few trips to the zoo, and then to a couple of waterparks and nature parks. And all the kids want to do is play at home.
Lesson learned. I better go stock up the snacks.
That's how I roll.
Song of the day: Summertime by The Sundays
Leave a comment