Lovin' the Break

I know far too many stay-at-home Moms that start stressing weeks before a school break. Conversations in school parking lots, at gyms and book clubs, even in grocery store aisles start with "Are you going away?", and if both Moms are sentenced to spend the "break" at home the conversation is thereafter dominated by comparisons of what each Mother is lining up to fill the chasm of time that lay ahead, and notes are made of any newly-discovered resource for time filling, or killing (you pick the noun).

Problem is, I just don't think these breaks are such a problem, certainly not one that demands so much time, attention, advance planning, monetary commitment, and stressing; and it gets me wondering what all the hoopla is actually about.

I mean, let's be realistic here, it's only five days (heck, only four, if there's a holiday Monday kicking things off) of togetherness -- what is everyone so afraid of? Will there be a mutiny at your house if you don't have at least two (if not more!) activities to fill your young ones' day? Do they really have SO much energy that you must run yourself ragged in order to protect your home from some kind of amped up miniature wrecking crew?

I'm not saying we should ignore the potential this free time holds, but why can't we kick back a bit and help our children learn to appreciate the joys of unstructured time. If we're always "entertaining" them, how will they ever learn to entertain themselves? How will they ever learn to find or create their own fun. Last I checked, you have not committed a crime if your child says "I'm bored."

 

In fact, isn't this the perfect opportunity to teach them to fill their time right there in that toy-filled family room, play room, basement or bedroom? Heck, "I'm bored" even presents you with a chance for self-inflicted horror when you involuntarily pull out one of your parent's old favorites, such as "If you're so bored you can help me with _________" (fill in the blank with whatever chore your children most detest).

Me? I actually enjoy these multi-day stretches with nothing much planned. My plan is no plan. I'm all about the last-minute, fly-by-the-seat of my Mommy pants approach. It's such a treat when you can seize an unexpected opportunity for a nearby field trip with a Mom pal that gives the kids a chance for camaraderie and we cloistered grownups a chance to confabulate. My boys relish the opportunity to spend time with a pal they don't get to see as often as they would like. And I love that there's time to do a project together or check out a place our normally jammed schedule hasn't allowed.

But most of all, I love it when my boys settle into really playing with each other! Sure, it may require some U.N. quality negotiations on my part, or even threats that neglected toys are headed to the trash can,

but when I watch them happily, even joyously, playing together, making their fun together, it makes me the happiest Mom in the world. I love to watch them enjoying each others' company, heck, that's why I had two of 'em! 

Don't even get me started on the rare occasions I find them reading together!

I love that these "breaks" mean no rush to get out the door first thing in the morning. We can snuggle in my bed and watch "Curious George" without worrying about the clock.

I love that there's time in the morning for the boys and me to make mid-week raspberry pancakes for Daddy.

I love that there's time to curl up together on the couch and read Winnie-The-Pooh or Harry Potter or Magic Tree House or Captain Underpants. Or watch Night at the Museum or Harry Potter or Enchanted (a recent discovery, thanks to the Disney Channel, for my light saber wielding wizards) and gorge ourselves on a huge, dinner appetite destroying, bowl of popcorn. (And yes, Star Wars is not on the list because Mom gets pretty fed up with that whole galaxy!)

I love that I get a chance to giggle with my boys over our lack of Wii Fit prowess.

I love that the daily schedule is erased, and a trip to Trader Joe's can become an adventure (tasting the day's sample or thinking up new menus), instead of the usual stressful dash.

I love that laundry can actually become quality time! Sorting, loading, folding, putting away can all become opportunities to learn a new skill and impress Mom.

I love that during a school break, even late afternoon dishwasher unloading can happily degenerate into a serious Kidz Bop / Black Eyed Peas dance party.

And I love that an afternoon story can turn into a nap, for everyone!

A few tricks I keep up my sleeve....

- Check out what's playing at the movie theater.

- Restock your craft bin with cheap, age-appropriate, prepackaged craft projects from Michaels or A.C. Moore.

  (As a self-proclaimed craft-challenged Mom, I LOVE those kits!)

- Save the best for last! Whatever it is, if your kids will love it, save it for Friday!

- Restock the wine, beer, tequilla...whatever your poison of choice, make sure there's plenty of it! 'Cause there's nothin' worse then having to rally your troops for a trek to the liquor store at the end of a rough day in the Momming trenches.

What are your "break" tricks? What was the simplest thing that turned out to be the biggest hit?

So I say, RELAX, ENJOY, boredom never killed anyone!

Found this & just had to include it, it's just SO true.

Photo courtesy of AliceNWondrlnd

P.S. Don't EVEN get me started on the whole summer vacation discussion! I'm almost as lackadaisical about that!