One of the blogs that I "blog-stalk" often is Mrs. Dub. She's a friend of a friend of a friend. She posted this on her blog about summer and hanging out with the kids at the pool. Sometimes I feel guilty when Parley asks what we are doing for the day. I know it sounds like fun, and it is, but it's also sometimes scary to "be in charge" of three active kids. Sometimes I get tired of feeling like their personal cruise director, but it's almost worse to stay at home all cooped-up together all day. Hopefully were're finding a happy medium and they are appreciating their fun summer.
From Mrs. Dub:
"For My Stay-At-Home Mom's"
I've thought about this a lot, but what do you think is the greatest perk of being a stay-at-home mom, aside from the whole be-with-your-chittlins-all-day thing?After some consideration, I've decided it's spending more time outdoors. OK, in the winter this isn't really a perk - it's a punishment - but I still get a chance to see the sky a lot more than I did when I worked full-time.
In the summer, our life is spent outdoors. Last week, I put on makeup twice because we spent a huge chunk of each day at the pool or a park or another outdoor arena. Miss Dub and I are already sporting wicked tan lines. (I'm not proud of this. I'm becoming part-iguana with my nasty leather hide.)
Some days I feel guilty. When Mr. Dub heads off to work for another busy day of reports and meetings, I say things like, "Yeah, our day is going to be busy, too. We're going to swim in the morning, then have lunch with friends, then head to a park." As if he should be grateful!
It's not totally fair, but there are entire days in the winter when I don't speak a word to an adult and change 5+ diapers full of reconstituted food ... so I guess it balances out.
Plus, when I start to feel guilty that my life is largely creating fun experiences for my child - I remember that I would never forgive myself if I stayed home and focused only on myself. I'm not staying home to swim; I'm staying home to teach Miss Dub to swim. To show her the beauty of a blue sky. To teach her water etiquette. To point out the letters and shapes and sounds we see on the way to the pool. It's all part of a greater educational experience - and I'm lucky enough to be her teacher.
But it's pretty cool that we get to do it outside.
4 comments:
Ditto my friend! ;) It helps to have fun girlfriends to hang out with too!
Good message. There are a whole lot of important things you're teaching them while "playing", such as sharing, helping each other, considering other people, getting a job done so you can go wherever....; this is just a partial list. Making memories is always good.
The more outings the better is what I say. Summer is the best!
The only time my kids get to go swimming is everyother year at Sunriver. It all has to do with my fear of not being able to watch 3-4 kids and having someone drown. I need to get over some fear, and teach them how to swim, so we all can have fun.
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