Mommy Camp

Summer. You either love it or you hate it.  As summer approaches you may be scrambling to figure out ways to keep your kids busy and not fighting with each other for the next two months.  You probably scour the internet looking for VBS, camps, and play dates. You may be overwhelmed thinking about the inevitable squabbles that are about to occur. OR you may look forward to the lazier days of summer that are less scheduled and hectic.  There is no homework, and you don’t have three different drop off and pick up times.  You can spend more time doing things with your kids and maybe even going on vacation.  However, I think many of us land somewhere in the middle.

I only had one kid in school this past school year and two at home.  I looked forward to summer and getting to spend more time with my oldest.  I also looked forward to summer because I knew my middle would have someone to play with all day.  The big girls do a pretty great job of keeping each other entertained.  However, I was also scouring the internet looking for VBS and summer camps! We need something to break up the monotony of being home all day (and who doesn’t like a Mommy break?!?!)

We started off our summer jam packed with fun things like bowling, the movies, a visit to the grandparents, a trip to the beach, swim lessons, cheer camp, and VBS. Whew! The girls loved VBS so so much they kept asking to go again.  Unfortunately my middle is too young for most VBS and camps, and I don’t have an endless supply of money$$$; so I proposed a “Mommy Camp!”  We all giggled and went about our day.  However, the girls apparently thought this was a fabulous idea and kept asking me when we were doing Mommy Camp; so I picked a week and set it aside for our first annual “Mommy Camp.”

The weekend before we started I sat with each of the girls and asked them what they wanted to do during Mommy Camp.  What they said made me smile.  It wasn’t anything elaborate, expensive, or not-doable.  (I was worried they would say things that I would have to say “no” to.)  Instead their lists consisted of “coloring with Mommy, playing Barbies and horses with Mommy, cooking with Mommy, and doing experiments and crafts with Mommy.”  I can totally make that happen! They got out their kid cookbook and science experiment book.  We looked through them and chose a few things we wanted to try to tackle. We made a schedule for the week and assigned each day various recipes, experiments, and activities. The girls were so excited!

During the week we made muffins, faux escargot, and grilled sandwiches.  We made tie-dye T-shirts and clay magnets.  We made crystals, learned about magnets, and attempted “naked eggs.” We colored, played barbies, horses, and board games.  We played dress up and did hair and makeup.  We even got to go and get mani/pedis together.  The girls loved every minute, talked about Mommy Camp to friends and family, and asked to do it again. I plan to have Mommy Camp every summer for as long as they think it’s cool 🙂

What made this work?  It wasn’t a ton of planning (maybe an hour in total), and it wasn’t lot of money.  (I only had to grab a few supplies and ingredients at the store.)  What it did require was being intentional. I was intentional about my time and attention.  I was intentional about putting my phone down (other than when we were taking pictures and videos of our camp activities of course).  I was intentional about my time.  When the baby laid down, instead of using that time to do work or scroll Facebook or do paperwork or make phone calls I gave the girls my full attention. I was intentional about saying “yes” to the things I normally say “no” to. I let them crack the eggs and use the stove. I let them spray rubbing alcohol on permanent marker and watch it run all over the place.  and It…Was…So…Worth…It.

I was reminded of a few things this past week.  Iwas reminded that the things that often consume my time aren’t really that important.  If they don’t get done today, the world won’t fall apart. I was reminded that my kids are growing up to be little people and that they are capable of cracking the eggs themselves even if it makes a mess.    I was reminded that my kids don’t need big or extravagant.

They just want me.

Just today, I was watching an old episode of Family Matters with my family, and there was a scene between Carl and Eddie after Carl dragged Eddie on a disastrous ice-fishing trip.  It spoke directly to my heart after our week of Mommy Camp.

Eddie asked Carl:  “What’s with the father and son kick?  Are you having a midlife crisis?” to which Carl replied:  “No, I don’t know. I guess I’m just trying to make up for lost time. […] When you were little you used to always ask me to do things with you, but a lot of the times I was too busy trying to scratch out a living.  Now you’re older and I have the time; but now you’re the one who’s busy.”

Take in the moment, Moms. Take advantage of the time you have now when they want to spend time with you and do things with you – when they think you’re the coolest, most special person ever.

Messes can be cleaned up, but time lost can’t be recovered. 

Once it’s gone you can’t get it back. Make the most of it. Inhale it. Savor it. Enjoy it.  Do “Mommy Camp.”

**Be sure to check out some of my videos and pictures from our week of Mommy Camp on my Facebook page and Instagram account.