The summer vacation I dreaded has become a little something to look forward to #139

A while ago,
a friend from my student days who has a child the same age as my second daughter
came over to visit.
Our conversation was almost entirely about our children.

She had just given birth to her second child,

and she was at a loss as to what to do for summer vacation.

Even though our circumstances were different,
we both felt the same anxiety about how to handle summer vacation.

It's hot,
so it's hard to let them play outside.

As for indoor playgrounds,
they're usually about the same, and there's not much novelty.

What should we do every day?

Where should I take them?

While thinking about things like that,
summer vacation draws near.

That's why I brace myself every year.

“Let's hang out at each other's houses during summer vacation.”

We both said it without either of us really initiating it.

In that moment,
I felt the tension in my shoulders suddenly melt away.

Having lived away from my hometown until now,
I didn't have any friends I could visit back and forth with.

That's why
I was so happy to hear those words.

The summer vacation that had always been such a source of worry
has become something I'm looking forward to just a little bit.

Summer vacation is
about how to give your child a fulfilling life.
About how to create fun memories.

It feels like a mission for parents, so I tend to get tense.

But,
maybe it's not actually that big of a deal.

The child is smiling, the parent is smiling,
and the day ends safely.

Maybe that alone is enough.

A long time ago,

“Mom friends are comrades-in-arms.”

I heard that once.

I feel like I finally understand what that means now.

Even when things feel hopeless on your own,
there are people you can fight alongside.

“Want to come over?”

“Okay, then next time it's at my place.”

How much can such casual words
save us?

The summer vacation I dreaded
hasn't even started yet.

I'm sure there will be some tough days.

Even so, just knowing I'm not alone
makes me feel like this summer will look a little different.

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