The word “freedom” means something different to me. I can’t take six (or any number of) weeks off during summer because that would mean no income for that time. My work—like the dirty dishes—doesn’t stop just because the calendar says summer. That’s why I start preparing weeks before the vacation. I get ahead where I can: writing articles, scheduling posts, coordinating emails. This gives me a few free hours during summer break, but it’s not free—by the time summer arrives, I’m more tired than I’d like. And the time others spend resting or recharging, I get at best with a bit less work.
Still, I don’t complain. I know many others don’t have enough vacation days to cover the whole break, so I’m not the only one working alongside their kids. Over the years, I’ve realized it’s doable—just not always the way those perfect Instagram mom posts might make you think.
Small and Big Changes for More Quality Time Together
Daily routines need a fresh look. For example, I outsource meals. I order weekly menus because I don’t want to spend the little time we truly have together at the kitchen counter. Cooking is only an event if we make it one—like spending a morning making pancakes or preserving jam together. So, we’re only in the kitchen when it’s a special occasion.
I used to worry about screen time, but I’ve let go of the guilt. Yes, my daughter watches cartoons daily, sometimes for hours. Often, that’s the window I need to handle urgent work. But every day, I try to plan something different—something that breaks up the routine. One day we repot flowers together, another we picnic in the City Park with a storybook basket, fruit, and homemade sandwiches. Sometimes we stay up late to watch stars in the August sky.
These little moments don’t just create memories—they build a bond: “I have to work now, but if we’re smart, the evening will be just ours.”
I can’t completely switch off work during summer break, but I can keep it from taking over. That means constant rescheduling: sometimes I start earlier, other times I finish in the evening what I couldn’t during the day. Efficiency takes on new meaning: it’s not just about how many words I write, but how much time I free up to spend with my daughter.
Of course, not every day will be all fun and laughter. I won’t be a creative mom every minute, and I can’t always be fully present. But as we gently shift boundaries—mine at work, hers in patience—we build a shared rhythm. We live, work, and vacation together—and I hope these treasured moments create memories that will connect us for a lifetime.
