If you look at the glossy magazines by the checkout aisle in the grocery store, usually around April or May, you'd think summer was the best time in the world to have kids. Excuse me while I fall down on the floor, laugh-sobbing at that fictitious assumption. I truly wish it were the best time ever, but there are far more reasons summer is the worst when you're a parent, than there are reasons why it's the best.
Each year, as my kids have gotten older, I've headed into the season armed with ways to make this their best summer yet, only to disappoint myself (and them) when I'm not able to live up to my high and unrealistic expectations. The reality is, both of my kids are perfectly happy to continue with our "normal" activities during the summer. Seriously, they couldn't care less. Alas, not adding to our already full schedule in the name of all that is sunshine gives me, yet again, another opportunity to be hard on myself. Yay, parenthood.
The truth is, for me and so many other parents I know, summer is a season of survival. I know many of us would love to be the Pinterest moms who throw backyard crafting parties with homemade popsicles, but it can be really hard to make that actually happen. So, if you're feeling disappointed in yourself and you'er super bummed that the summer isn't going as you'd planned, rejoice in the fact that you're not alone in feeling this way. Seriously, here are 11 reasons summer is the absolute worst when you're a parent: