We all look forward to the Summertime. Relaxing by the pool, beach trips, long, warm, hazy days and endless evenings of fun outdoors. You look forward to the time when you can take a break from the routines and just enjoy having some fun with the family.
But this is not how summer is for me.
The kids are waking up earlier these days and staying up much later. The days are unstructured, no plans, a free for all, if you will. Everyone is home. Everyone is loud and everyone is on top of one another. I feel as if I run from 5:30 am to 9:30 at night cooking meals, planning activities, cleaning up after activities, putting on bathing suits, taking off wet bathing suits, doing laundry, and still trying to clean the house and maintain a home. I try to find some personal time to relax or write an article, but the time seems harder to find.
Don’t get me wrong, I try to embrace this extra time with the kids and I dwell in their excitement for these long, fun-filled days. We have shared some memorable moments chasing fireflies, watching fireworks, or hitting some playgrounds in the mornings. Some days are perfect and others are a work in progress. Normally, the work is on myself and not my kids.
As a type A personality and a recovering perfectionist, summer can be a very anxiety inducing time for me. I thrive on schedules, routines, and cleanliness. I am also very sensitive to noise, chaos or if too many devices are playing at once. Top that with some extra guilt because I want to make this summer fun for my kids and plan a ton of activities while still trying to continue their schoolwork so they dont forget it all by August. By the end of the day, I am barely functioning. If you suffer from “Type A syndrome” like me, then you know you can’t just switch off your perfectionism. You see these relaxed Moms spending time with their kids and letting the messes sit and wish you could have that peaceful nature, but we are a work in progress.
So how do you survive Summer as a type A personality? Here are some tips I have found to be helpful.
- Sometimes you just can’t plan and need to have no expectations. When it comes to kids, sometimes the expectations we set can be too high. We have a picture perfect experience in our mind and when it doesn’t work out the way we pictured, we get stressed and angry. Sometimes it’s best to “go with the flow” and not have expectations for the day.
- Make a schedule for yourself, not for your entire family. I find it helpful to set goals and schedules for myself in the morning and not for the whole family. This helps me stay accountable with my own emotional goals and self care activities.
- Schedule time alone for self care. Make time for yourself to rest and renew, even if only for 5-10 minutes. I have an attached list of realistic self care activities you can try and hold yourself accountable for your self care.
- Take walks and spend time outdoors. Schedule some time outdoors. The fresh air, sounds of nature and quiet time is medicine to the soul.
- Let it go. Tell yourself throughout the day, “ it’s ok if the dishes aren’t done, it’s ok if the floor is covered in toys, it’s ok the kids are fighting for the 15th time this morning. It will all be ok.” Let go of guilt. Not everyday can be perfect. Some days will feel like they are straight out of a Hallmark movie and others will feel like wrestle mania. At the end of the day, you love your kids, your kids love you, and the work will get done eventually.
I am still a work in progress and I still struggle some days to keep my cool, and not because it’s hot outside. Try to enjoy the moments of peace and gratitude. Make self care a priority! The schedules and routines will return and life will again be calmer. For now, focus on your self care.
Remember, you are amazing!
Love, Brenna
