School’s out for the summer

Nisha Rickaby - 29 Jul 19

I’m writing this sat at the kitchen table cluttered with boxes and games, Lego and Birthday cards. My oldest was 5 years old last week. It’s only this year that I have realised that being a summer baby has a major positive against it. The gorgeous presents that have arrived will keep my darling son and his crazy haired baby sister entertained for the summer hols! Hurray!

We are now on week 4 of the ‘summer sentence’ and so far we have had football camp, chill out club, a family holiday and various birthday parties. I have done more planning and organising for this stretch than I did for my university dissertation.

Many parents have mixed feelings over this time of year. From worrying about child care and co ordinating multiple child schedules to being super excited about seeing your offspring every single day and going paddling pool crazy in the garden.

It’s great for the children to have a break, they work hard at school and push themselves out of their comfort zones regularly. It’s good to give their little minds a rest and to perhaps reflect on their year at school. What they have learnt and the friendships they have made.

They are all gorgeous and special, crazy and irritating all at the same time. Especially during the summer.

I have read many school holiday memes on social media, most of which I have screen shot and sent to my good friend and fellow parent at least once a day. Meme ping pong at its best accompanied with the photos of chilled glasses of alcohol!

It’s a chance for us parents to practise our parenting skills during the summer,  some days are easy and some days are hard.

Remember to keep the child snack choice and quantity high, you will almost become best friends with your local supermarket cashiers. Plan lots of play dates so you at least have adult company too!

I have learnt not to account for very single day even though it does panic me slightly. It’s good for them to be a little bored. I think it sparks creativity. Plus having a fun day doesn’t need to cost anything.

We still have 4 more weeks to go. I say that right now but come the end of August I’ll be tearing up and measuring my son against his height chart to see if he needs new trousers and shoes for the new school term.

Until that time comes I will continue to be happy, tired, hungover and hungry for the remaining 4 weeks.

It will pass in the blink of an eye, so make sure you record it all, the poignant moments, the funny moments, the nutty moments.

So you can miss them when they go back to school and the house once again becomes quiet and not quite as sticky and crazy as it has been. xx

Nisha Rickaby

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