'Mommy, I'm Bored'

How is your summer going? Let me re-phrase that: How are your kids enjoying the summer?

We’ve been busy and our summer is going really well. So far. There’s nothing like summer. Lazy mornings. Days at the beach and pool. Popsicles on the porch.

There are so many things I love about the summer now that I work from home. And so much I enjoy doing with my kids too. From being buried in the sand to riding to the cafe in our PJs (so our dog can get a free cup of whipped cream). We go to the park, pool, diner, play dates, ice cream shop, beach, gift shop, library and the movies. We do so much together, I’ve often been called the FUN FACTORY. And I love it.

Except when I’m on deadline and have five loads of laundry, dog hair all over my house and a ton of conference calls. Then I get a little frazzled. (Nothing a can of dark chocolate almonds can’t cure.) During times like this, I refer to myself as the eff-in SUMMER FUN FACTORY. And I sometimes turn on Netflix to help take a load off. And then the mommy guilt sets in. If one of my children dares to spew out the words, “I’m bored” (especially after hours out of the house) don’t even try me.

We recently came back from a trip to Martha’s Vineyard. The sand was still stuck to the back of my legs when my 8-year-old starts in with the mom-there-is-nothing-to-do-I’m-so-bored-isms. I respond the way moms responded in the 1950’s, hoping there won’t be any negative consequences. “Go play.”

But there was no one to play with on that particular day. I knew it. She knew it. Even the dog knew it. Literally, everyone was out of town on our street. (My 11-year-old, mind you, was happily glued to his iPad in the air-conditioning.) I was too fried to plan a play date or frankly do anything special (besides picking up groceries and unpack). Heck, we just came back from a week away! Then, I took a look at my car. It was unrecognizable. I'm not sure where the strands of dog fur ended and the sand began. I knew what to do. “Honey, you’re going to help mommy wash the car.” We vacuumed, wiped and shined anything within reach. Then we vacuumed some more. We cleaned until my daughter realized just how exhausted she was too. Mommy mission accomplished. At least for another summer day!

The next morning, we rode bikes. Then we had ice cream. And went to the pool. I was able to sneak in some work when we came back - yay!

How do you spend your summer? Please share below.

Because I get how busy you are in the summer, I’m extending the deadline for MOMMY INSANITY STORIES & DESSERT RECIPES to August 31! Remember, your story or dessert recipe could be in my next book! How to Spread Sanity on a Cracker is available at Hollies, Barrington Books & http://www.amazon.com/Spread-Sanity-Cracker-Jackie-Hennessey/dp/0985031808! Please contact me today at jackie@ventingsessions.com! http://ventingsessions.com/2012/06/05/sanity-by-chocolate/

Also, join me for my next book signing! Visit www.ventingsessions.com for a full listing!