Summer is Slipping Away

It happens every year, doesn't it?

Oh how excited we are for summer to arrive! We make our plans. Travel, rest, organizing goals, books to read, home improvements and to-do lists. Summer is a welcome break from the school year routine and an opportunity to "get some things done".

But then summer arrives, and at least for me, it never quite plays out like I anticipate.

Is anyone else feeling the sting of summer slipping away? Sometimes the sting is accompanied by a slew of other emotions. Guilt for not accomplishing as much as I wanted.  Reluctant to let go of the time because time didn’t amount to as much as I had hoped.  Hesitant to let go of the long summer nights in exchange for early bed times.  

Standing in Lake Michigan

But as the fall gets closer I always come around to the idea of a new school year when I realize our routine is anything but routine.  It’s more of a controlled chaos.  My kitchen is never closed and it seems like ten o’clock every night is when the teens descend on the pantry and begin concocting all kinds of snacks and desserts.  Summer break begins feeling like a long sentence of late night torture.  What was bed time again?  My husband still goes to work yet the kids have no concept of the need for SLEEP.  Well, sleeping at the proper time anyway.  They’re fine with sleeping during the day.

Side note: If you have not made it to the teen years with your kids, get ready.  Prepare yourself for how you will address certain things (attitudes) now because the moment sneaks up on you and your reaction may surprise you.    

But back to the summer coming to an end…

Of course, I have mixed feelings.  Whenever something ends, a new thing begins. And that can be exciting!  Routines are a funny thing - we crave them and thrive when we are in a healthy great routine.  But after 9 months of a routine we are ready for a break from it.  And then we realize we actually really needed it so we return to a routine.  And the cycle continues. 

Catching fish in Lake Michigan

Routines are good.  Breaks are great.  We need them both.

This school year of 2025-2026 has many promises ahead and a few exciting changes I look forward to blogging about - soon.  So I hope you are wrapping up your summer too, with wonderful expectations of a great school year ahead.  

And if you need a community to do school with, please reach out to us! 

In Him,

Jessi