Dear Maggie —

The inquiries in your recent columns have really resonated with me.  I, too, have felt the impulse to run screaming from my schedule – and now, I fear I’m going to pay the consequences.  Somehow, my Summer camp planning just sort of fell apart.  Between missing camp deadlines and getting beat out on several of the registrations (hello, waitlist!), I now worry that I’m going to pay for it by getting constant screen requests from my kids because of their sheer boredom.  The good news is that I have a lighter schedule during the Summer too, and I actually look forward to being able to spend some more relaxing fun time with my kids.  But I’m definitely looking for ideas… so if you have anything to share about your Summer plans that might give me some inspiration, help a girl out, and fire away!

— Camp-Weary Carrie

Dear Camp-Weary —

Oh, I remember those days so well – the tug and pull of having more time to chill with the kids, and trying to keep them occupied enough to not drive you crazy all Summer long!  Malcolm was always super busy with work (you know, the whole running a kingdom thing!), and so it was up to me to entertain the kids while they weren’t in school.  Luckily, I did have several opportunities for kids’ activities held at the local convent – though I don’t think they’d appeal to today’s crowd.  Somehow, “Haggis-Baggus”, “Flog in the Bog”, and “Scotch-Making 101” don’t seem like they’d be best suited for American tykes these days.  (I definitely don’t recommend letting the kids pour the liquor – in the words of Robert Benchley, “Children should never mix cocktails – it’s unseemly, and they use way too much vermouth.”)

By this time next week, I will be happily lounging on the lanai in Boca Raton (my usual) with Terry and Bernie, cocktail in hand, and soaking in some sun and local color.  Without other plans in place, might I suggest a little of the same for you as well?  Summer is wonderful for its lack of structure and time to do things you don’t normally have, well, time for.  I say, lean into it.  Camps are great too – the kids love them – so if that works out and the waitlist opens up, awesome.  For working moms and dads, it’s the #1 option.  But some chill time, no matter how it comes, is important stuff.  Enjoy the relaxed pace and lack of a defined schedule.  Sleep in.  Lounge around.  Enjoy the sunshine.  And take in some of the sites around you (St. Louis has plenty to offer – a lot is free or cheap – so head off to some of the many activities offered).  Kind of like an extended stay-cation.  I promise you, your future-self will thank you come August when your schedule returns full-force (and trust me, it will be here before you know it).  Actually, I think it’s a good thing your plans didn’t all work out.  If your calendar was turning you into a scream-queen, then maybe it’s best that it won’t be so full this Summer.  

Whatever you do, take some time for you, too.  Your kids will appreciate that as well.  And parents need to recharge as much as the children do.  I learned many centuries ago, that a little R&R goes a long way.  And except for a short jaunt to Chicago at the end of this month to catch Nikki Glaser, I plan to remain parked in Florida until the end of the Summer.  So, join me in toasting to our Summer vacations – may your glass be full, and your calendar empty… or at least, stress-less enough that you keep your sanity and have time to enjoy these upcoming lazy, hazy, crazy days.  See you next school year! And as we say in Scotland, Slàinte Mhath!

— Maggie