Summer Bucket List

Yup.  A Summer Bucket List. 

I have been saying for years now that I'm not a good full-on mom.  I've always felt that I've needed part-time work (or part-time child care) just to keep my wits about me.  This fact sometimes elicits guilt about not being a super-mom.  A couple of times it has elicited backhanded comments from my own mom.

But guilt and guilt-trips aside, I have known myself and what I need for myself and for my children.  And I have never judged another mom for her choices about work and child care.  There are just too many factors.  As long as mom and children are happy and healthy, that's what matters most in my book.

Another thing I have learned about myself is that I get really antsy when tied to diapers and naptimes. I have never really known how to explain this well, but I don't think I'm that great of a mom of infants and toddlers.  When I say this to friends I get arguments like, "What are you talking about?  You're a great mom!"  What I really mean to say is that I love my babies/toddlers, but I really don't "enjoy" them that much.  No.  That's not exactly correct either.  Like I said, I don't know how to explain it.  I just know that now that my little family does not contain diapers or nappers, I am much more excited about my job of mom.

So this summer, for the first time in four years, I am full-on mom for an extended period of time.  I am choosing to not work and to not sign up for any child care or full day camps.  Oscar will take Karate classes for an hour on Mondays and a baseball techniques class for an hour or so on Mondays and Wednesdays.  Matilda will take dance lessons for 45 mintues for a week in July.  And the rest of the summer is ours!!!

Oscar's last day of school was half day and rainy. After lunch, the kids and I sat down at the easel and created the above list. Then we went straight to work on ticking off our goals! We went to the library to sign up for the summer reading program. The next day we went to TWO playgrounds. I'd say we are off to a great start, and ready for more hair-raising good times :)