Nashville Documentary Photographer | Our 1980's Summer

This year, I didn't set myself up for feelings of inadequacy.Every year, Based on what is happening on social media, I make a huge summer bucket list. You know the one, its everywhere. We have to camp, fish, look at the stars, catch fireflies, hike every week, swim at the pool 9 days a week, see all the splash pads, zoos and farms in the area.... its unreal.This year, I decided I would plan nothing. Remembering what it was like to be a child in the 80's, I don't recall ever having a list for summer activities. After the summer bucket list comes the Fall Bucket List, then the Christmas Bucket List.... we do it YEAR round. Things were not subconsciously pressured onto us via what everyone else was doing on instagram. We just lived, without much thought. So this year, I did that. I gave my children a 1980's childhood. There were times when we did nothing. We just lived in the moment. In my opinion, were becoming a culture constantly chasing something, never fully content with what life is. We seem to need to be taking on more work, another project, or being on a boat, then the beach, then a big shopping trip - but it almost never seems to end. We seem to be unfulfilled just living in the moment. If we have a summer bucket list, what were creating are high expectations for ourselves, extra stress to be the best parent ever, and so much added pressure. We are also teaching our children that life isn't fulfilling unless you're on a wild adventure 24/7. Also, if there is no predetermined list of things, you can look back at the amazing job you did with zero plans.... rather than feel like some failure :)  So, we had days like this, just laying at sunset on a hammock. Appreciating life. Seeing shapes out of clouds and just living and breathing.We homeschool  year roundUnfortunately, we were behind on homeschool. Yes we homeschool year round, but usually we are not so far behind. So that did add some stress that I didn't love. Because my husband traveled for his job a ton between December and April, we fell 1-2 months behind on school. Unfortunately, my rational side and irrational side do not always see eye to eye, so I felt stressed keeping up with some arbitrary school calendar that we don't even follow. Its now August and we have about 2 weeks of school left before we start our new year's curriculum. Whew.I did love watching my youngest, Greyson, gain his confidence this summer. At the beginning, he was scared of swimming (terrified) despite a few years of lessons. He is learning to read and ride a bike without training wheels. I have said to many, that kindergarten is really a year of teaching confidence. I don't overly correct his errors and just work on building him up. He now LOVES going under water and is slowly gaining confidence on his bike. His reading is amazing! It makes me so proud!I took my childhood for granted.I really did. I mean, I could bike ALL over my little city. I jump roped, I would go to the park at dusk and swing my heart out on the swings. I want my children to have that, as much as possible. Which means not signing them up for every single sport out there, making sure they have free play time in their schedule, vs a jam packed schedule of activities, parties, and responsibilities. Childhood is sacred and short. I want them to become adults who know how to balance work and home life, who are okay with less and don't have to chase every adventure or job or exciting opportunity that comes their way. I want them to have contentment. I hope they can become adults who can say no to events and be okay resting and relaxing on a porch in the summer evening, listening to the bugs and frogs. I want them to be happy with less.So this summer, we did end up catching some lightning bugs. Greyson found frogs literally almost every single day. He would play with them ALL day. They spent a lot of time in the sun and dirt. We had swim lessons and a few summer camps. We went to the pool a handful of times. We spent some time crafting. Between Boxes being cut into robotic outfits and painting, the kids sure spent a lot of time creating.  We spent some time at the playground next to our property. And climbing trees barefoot. Jumping on the trampoline and eating yellow watermelon. My kids even played in the rain.