Mom's Talk - Spring Break Blues?

What are you doing for spring break? Members of the Mom’s Council share what they are up to this week.

Deneen:

Every year I am conflicted about what to do this week.

My dream spring break would be for us to stop the activity rollercoaster that takes up much of our year. “Stop and smell the roses,” you could say.

On the other hand, when we stay home together for too long, stopping and smelling anything nice gets thrown out the window. After a couple of hours of fighting and complaining that there is nothing to do, I break down and start planning a project or an outing.

I know the benefits of disconnecting. I struggle with that myself. But, I remember the long and lazy days of my childhood when we would play outside all day making up games to play. There was a sense of independence we felt, and we got a fantastic social education playing with the neighborhood kids.

Monday was our first down day. We spent it outside playing catch, a little soccer and reading. We also spent time planning for a school project, a family day trip and scheduling play dates for later in the week. I have to say, there was very little complaining and just a couple of fights. Tuesday was much the same. I do enjoy a sunny day!

Wednesday, our week speeds up again with a baseball game and a sleepover. The rest of the week will continue at race car speed.

But, I will count this week as a success. Two days of down time is a record for us. Summer is just around the corner and I would love some more harmonious down time then!

Nicole:

On Monday, the kids ran slipshod through the house while I tried to conduct business. Tuesday, they went to day care. Even the 6-year-old. Thank you, awesome daycare lady!

After the 6-year-old requested that I take a day off of work -- today -- I am trying to stay away from the computer at all costs.

As for the rest of the week, maybe we'll finish planting our garden or perhaps we'll go somewhere cool. Playing in the backyard is still a novelty so I just might take advantage of that. We got the barbecue out and the girls are enjoying their swing. At ages 3 and 6 life is still fairly uncomplicated for my kids.

Laurie:

Spring break is bitter sweet in our household this year. The school where I work has a different week off, so, for the first time in a number of years, the kids and hubby are essentially taking a break without me. This poses an interesting scenario, since I am essentially the vacation planner of the household.

Getting up early and getting ready for work while everyone else is sleeping in and lounging around, that’s...well, bitter.

The fact that the hubby is doing the planning and taking kids off to Scandia and such, that’s very sweet.

Not driving away from the laundry and the chores to a hotel somewhere near the beach, again, bitter.

Not having to make kids lunches in the morning and drive to two different crowded school parking lots, that’s sweet.

Having a week off at the end of the month while the kids go off to school, sweet again!

I guess I shouldn’t complain, this week is looking sweeter and sweeter by the day! … Especially since the hubby and I will be rounding out the week by attending the Giants Home Opener on Friday...maybe playing at home will turn their luck around! Let’s Go Giants!