Why Is Summer So Hard For Parents? Because Things Have Changed.

Why is summer so hard for parents? Because things have changed. When we were kids, we’d just run around town from dawn until dusk, unattended.

Instead of mom slathering us with suncreen, we burned, then peeled our damaged skin like molting snakes.

Instead of sensible snacks, we’d ride our bikes to 711 to purchase fists-full of Jolly Ranchers and Atomic Fire Balls.

Instead of parents entertaining us, we’d knock on our neighbor’s doors and invite them out to play.

The adults in our families were never exactly sure of our whereabouts–nor did they particularly care.

It was all up to us. We made friends. We made good decisions. We made bad decisions. We made our own fun.

Reader, this is not a thing anymore.

Kids don’t randomly play with other kids in 2019.

It’s too risky. If your children want social time, it must be by way of organized sports, or expensive day camp, or a play date wherein all mommies attend and make awkward small talk so that they can keep an eye on things.

And we have every reason to be overprotective.

Forget lions, and tigers, and bears (oh my!)

There are Amber alerts, and scary true crime documentaries, and who knows what that kid down the street is looking at on his computer!

We have to keep our kids safe. But with that hypervigilance comes isolation. With that hypervigilance comes the burdensome responsibility to keep your children company 24/7. And it’s EXHAUSTING.

Parents of 2019, do you know why the summer is so hard? Because your kids are up your ass ALL THE TIME.

It didn’t used to be like this. So cut yourselves some slack. And maybe, consider day camp.

That is all.