A Working Mom's Summer: Real Life Speedup and Virtual Slowdown

Work Wednesday 

It's hot here in the D.C. region. Really, really, hot. More than 80 degrees by 8:00 a.m. this morning, and the temperature is expected to top out somewhere near the record high of 98 later today. The pavement on Pennsylvania Avenue outside my office really is starting to melt and I've already dissolved into a sweaty state. The air is stagnant and I'm spent.

Summer. The heat is nature's signal that it's time to slow down. But this year, it feels like I'm sprinting in a summer speedup.

I'm not sure why. Well, yes I am. I'm a working mom, after all. Unfortunately, I planned poorly and didn't choose a career that  pauses for the summer. Next week, I leave on a ten-day foreign trip for work. So, I'm busy with last-minute details in the office and at home.

And the rest of my life doesn't stand still, either. When I return from my travels, hopefully undelayed by volcanoes or other disasters, I have a few quiet weeks and then one event after the other. The grandparents will visit, we'll go on vacation (two weeks and lovely but lots of logistics), celebrate a family wedding, and go back-to-school. Well, almost. School does start this year on August 31! And the Jewish High Holidays, which usually require advance preparation and arrive later in the fall, come only two days after Labor Day. Yikes!

Plus, my kids' camp routine is adding to the stepped-up summer pace. For a mix of reasons, I'm leaving the house -- with my two kids and all their stuff   -- earlier than I do during the school year!  I'm also running around frenetically pulling together what they need every day. Apart from the usual bathing suits, towels, sunscreen, water shoes, hats, and special lunches for field trip days, they also need (clean) pajamas for Pajama Day, disco clothes for 70's Day, special shirts for Tye Dye day and so on. And, the kids come home filthier and wetter than during the school year and so does their laundry!

Of course, in all of this there will be time for a good measure of summer slowdown. Lazy days at the pool, relaxing outdoor movies and concerts, and leisurely forays to the farmers' market.  Still, I fear that it won't go slowly enough.

There's one area of my life, though, where I'm definitely slowing down this summer. And that's blogging for CurrentMom.  I've loved writing every Wednesday (almost) for the past year and a quarter and sharing my observations and reflections on my life as a working mom and on developments, ideas, and issues that affect other working moms (and dads). But I do need to slow down right now so I'll be writing less frequently. After today, I'll post a few times in July and then a few times in August. Come September, I'll be back at it, though only an every other week basis. I'm also hoping to post a few guest posts on other days.

What are your plans for the summer? Will you go slow or sprint toward fall? Whatever your speed, I hope it's not too hot!

Photo via Muffet on Flickr.com

Comments

[Jen Sweeney]

I'll be moving at the slowest pace possible without coming to a complete stop! Taking 3 weeks of vacation to two very different locations (Honduras and Disney) and savoring every minute. If your lazy days by the pool are in Bethesda, we may see you. Enjoy!

[ellen]

Glad you're slowing down Stacy! Enjoy the somewhat extra time...and try not to spend it doing laundry!

[Donna Levinson]

Spot on! Evidence: I've been wanting to get around to reading this for a week, and now I am. At 1:13 a.m. Anyway, I especially agree on the craziness of the camp routine. Have a great trip.