Summer is so long and it’s the worst for kids and parents.

[Anonymous]

Love summer but I enjoy being with my kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What does middle schooler do in summer break? Camps or stay home? I don’t think they are old enough to work, but summer break is too long to stay at home. They have no transportation, so how do they spend time over summer if parents are out working?

Playing video games?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid is just starting kinder so feel free to take what I say with a grain of salt since I haven’t experienced it yet but I used to think I’d like year ‘round school. Now I see the APS calendar and there are so many days off sprinkled in. We also have days off to celebrate the holidays of at least 3 different religions. My family is no religion, so these are just more random days off for us. If summer were shorter, the school year would have more of these days off just plunked into the middle of the week. Or weeks off just in whatever month. At least in the summer you can plan a long stretch of camp.

Well, my kids are just a touch older and I have been through a couple of rounds, don't work, and still feel exactly like you do. I'm a SAHM and I was so annoyed at all the random days and half days through the school year. I haven't a clue how working parents figure out childcare like that. I've asked around and it all involves some hybrid of options, none of which sound like they'd work for my family. I'd much prefer a four-day school week and several 2-week long breaks throughout a year-round school. But that's truly just mem

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Speak for yourself. My kids love summer. We have gone on vacation. They have done a few camps. We go to the pool. I don’t work though.

+1

I love summer as well and wish it was longer. I live for summer, I feel like it's already slipping away.
I'm a teacher and a mom.

[Anonymous]

I live for summer break. No way would I want to cancel summer just because some parents find it hard.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s too long.
My kids are bored. We don’t have the money for expensive camps, and there isn’t much for tweens/teens.
They could really use some 2 week breaks during the year and have a shorter summer break.

That’s a you problem baby boo

[Anonymous]

We love summer. It is so relaxing. Such a nice slow pace compared to the school year. A long vacation, pools, museums, games, theme parks, water slides, movies, catching fireflies, parks, lakes, staying up late, no pressure from schoolwork, reading for fun, etc.. It’s rejuvenating.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What does middle schooler do in summer break? Camps or stay home? I don’t think they are old enough to work, but summer break is too long to stay at home. They have no transportation, so how do they spend time over summer if parents are out working?

They can "work" in the neighborhood. Dog sit, cat sit, yardwork for neighbors, volunteer in the neighborhood, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What does middle schooler do in summer break? Camps or stay home? I don’t think they are old enough to work, but summer break is too long to stay at home. They have no transportation, so how do they spend time over summer if parents are out working?

They can "work" in the neighborhood. Dog sit, cat sit, yardwork for neighbors, volunteer in the neighborhood, etc.

Sounds like a fun summer!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What does middle schooler do in summer break? Camps or stay home? I don’t think they are old enough to work, but summer break is too long to stay at home. They have no transportation, so how do they spend time over summer if parents are out working?

They can "work" in the neighborhood. Dog sit, cat sit, yardwork for neighbors, volunteer in the neighborhood, etc.

That sounds like a lot of work for the parents. Let’s face it, we don’t live in Andy Griffith land where kids can walk around and solicit long-term jobs easily.

I can afford to send my kids to fancy sleepaway camps which is the only reason I love summer vacation. Otherwise I would hate it and be stressed out.

[Anonymous]

Adding another who thinks you're only speaking for yourself, OP. Our kids are having a blast at camp - with their friends. The whole family are enjoying the controlled chaos of summer swim team - with adult and kid friends. Non-swim team weekends at the pool? Ditto.

We have a beach vacation coming up next month, our fourth year in a row to the same beach and second year in a row with two other families who are close friends. We're all super excited.

I don't love sweating constantly and fending off mosquitoes, but this time is far from the worst.

[Anonymous]

To sum up this thread so far, the wealthy SAHPs love summer. Sounds about right.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What does middle schooler do in summer break? Camps or stay home? I don’t think they are old enough to work, but summer break is too long to stay at home. They have no transportation, so how do they spend time over summer if parents are out working?

They can "work" in the neighborhood. Dog sit, cat sit, yardwork for neighbors, volunteer in the neighborhood, etc.

That sounds like a lot of work for the parents. Let’s face it, we don’t live in Andy Griffith land where kids can walk around and solicit long-term jobs easily.

I can afford to send my kids to fancy sleepaway camps which is the only reason I love summer vacation. Otherwise I would hate it and be stressed out.

So you love summer because your kids are gone? At least you're honest...

[Anonymous]

I like summer, and so does my kid.

But I recognize how hard summer is for so many people.
I think year round school would be ideal, but with long breaks. I know my kid would like it more. He likes the stability and routine of school.

When I was a kid everyone had SAHMs, now everyone works and childcare in the summer is hard and expensive. I think it's ok to say this and realized that not everyone can have an idyllic summer of going to the pool, lounging at the beach etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What does middle schooler do in summer break? Camps or stay home? I don’t think they are old enough to work, but summer break is too long to stay at home. They have no transportation, so how do they spend time over summer if parents are out working?

They can "work" in the neighborhood. Dog sit, cat sit, yardwork for neighbors, volunteer in the neighborhood, etc.

That sounds like a lot of work for the parents. Let’s face it, we don’t live in Andy Griffith land where kids can walk around and solicit long-term jobs easily.

I can afford to send my kids to fancy sleepaway camps which is the only reason I love summer vacation. Otherwise I would hate it and be stressed out.

Wow you’re pathetic