Summer Commandments

Well here we are on day two of summer vacation and you can tell it's going well (insert sarcasm) because I wrote out a two page document that was signed by Garrett and Morgan clarifying my summer expectations. What the spring is to tax accountants, the summer is to a mom. It's a huge increase in work and lots of overtime. Of course, my pay and compensation is nil both in monetary terms and gratitude when you're dealing with a teen and a tween.

Summers seem to have become increasingly more stressful for me over the last few years. I think the biggest shift occured when Garrett and Morgan not only stopped enjoying being around one another, but were annoyed at the sound of one breathing in the same room as the other. Then add to that the fact that it is not cool to go anywhere without a friend and I'm left trying to find entertainment for not two but four kids (plus a toddler). It's exhausting not to mention expensive.

So in an effort to start this summer on the same page, my commandments were typed up. I guess it's not exactly starting summer on a sunny note, but I feel that my parental responsibility to raise children who have boundaries, understand financial responsibility, and respect ALL family members do not get a summer vacation. And I can only hope that my compensation will come ten-fold in years to come.