5 Reasons Moms Need Summer

Not having something certainly makes you appreciate it more.  

Case in point: SUMMER

Even when parents are begging for the school year to start again in August, there is just something about the feeling of summer that puts a skip in our step and has us looking forward to things.

Since there are only 9 days of school left for my kids, I'm highlighting this mom's top 5 reasons why we need a summer (in no particular order):

1. Sleeping In - My kids aren't teenagers yet and don't sleep late.  It's not really the late sleeping that summer encourages but the not having to get up at 5:45 that is so enjoyable.  It eliminates waking up sleepy kids and encourages relaxation. Sure I have to get up and go to work, there may be a camp to get to in the morning - but we won't be eating breakfast with the birds at 6:45 am.

2. No Homework - 3rd grade was the first year my son really had homework that required my help. Putting it mildly, he's not really a homework fan. So not having that daily battle will be a welcomed reprieve for summer.  At least for a little while, there will be no getting in from baseball and then having to study for a Social Studies test and realizing half of the math problems need to be reworked. Kids can read for pleasure and will learn new things by playing on the beach and chasing after the ice cream truck with their own money.    

3. No lunches to pack - Nearly 180 days later, I've exhausted my creativity and the kids are tired of the same thing.  Although they still have to eat lunch in the summer, at least there are more choices that don't require being ziploc'd or tupperwared.  Better yet, lunch on the beach!

4. School Laundry - Thankfully, my children have to wear a uniform to school. Despite my plans to get all of the laundry done on Sunday in preparation for the week, it never fails that someone is running around looking for an item of clothing to fit the uniform. And then we have to remember what day requires sneakers. I'm so looking forward to all day bathing suits, wear what you want, pajamas till noon...even if just for a couple of months.

5. Travel - I'm fortunate that I can do most of my work from a laptop or iPhone, which means being able to take advantage of the time the kids have off and travel. Nothing too far away.  But the spontaneity of being able to wake up one morning and say "let's go to Mimi's house for a couple of days" without having to worry about missing school, is certainly a luxury of summer.  Even a staycation at your friend's house (who has a pool!) is something you can't do on the fly during the weekdays of school.

The lack of a schedule is something children need as well as parents, at least in our house.  It's rejuvenating, bonding, laid back time that will create memories and strengthen family bonds.  Those extra moments with my kids, not dictated by a schedule, are what I'm looking forward to the most.  

Here's to summer!

Jennifer Bilbro is the Founder of OutToEatWithKids.com, an online resource and mobile application designed to help families search for economical & healthy children’s meals. Visit OutToEatWithKids.com for more information or submit your restaurant info to jennifer@outtoeatwithkids.com