ajcjobs > BlogBreak > Archives > 2006 > June > 21 > Entry
Making the most of the summer
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Through some really great circumstances, my wife and I have recently returned to the teen-parenting scene after a stint as empty nesters.
For a two-career family, summers can be a nightmare, especially through those early teen years when childcare with a nanny or teen in the community just aren’t an option any more.
I had forgotten the anxiety and stress my wife and I felt during that period between May and August, when keeping those early teens (who don’t have jobs or cars) occupied, safe and out of trouble becomes the single focus of your life.
We started the summer out pretty well, mapped out on the calendar, with great plans for a camp every week, visits to older siblings or friends in other states.
We also planned vacations to keep the guys occupied and out of trouble.
As the summer progresses, the mid-summer report is that we’ve done pretty well. The sibling visit fell through but everything else is in place.
July is sketchy but we have some options during the third and fourth weeks but Oh my God! We forgot about the first two weeks of August!
The thing I hate is this ever-present feeling of being pulled between family and the job and not doing a really good job at either.
As anyone in this situation knows, the impact of this stress plays havoc with the job, the family and your personal mental health.
Try keeping meeting schedules away from the dreaded 12:30 or 1:00 p.m. pickup time when many camps end their day and then you have lunch and the afternoon.
Even worse, what do you do when you have a day-long meeting on Friday and the camp is only Monday through Thursday? And what about those gaps when you have no coverage?
I find myself rushing from one place to another, worrying about my child, what I’m missing at work, if I’ll get back in time and what the boss will think.
MOST importantly, I worry about how my stress impacts my family life and my kids.
Luckily, my wife and I live relatively close to home and work. I’m also thankful that we have the income to provide the camp experience.
I cannot begin to imagine the stress felt by parents who have long commutes, rely on public transportation or do not have flexible schedules.
I’m sure my wife and I aren’t the only ones feeling this stress.
When did summer become such a challenge? Shouldn’t we just shut things down for the summer and really enjoy our family and the time we have together?
Sometimes I think the Europeans have it right . Are we are totally missing the best times of our lives?
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