Summer Living

Ah, I just love the slow pace of summer! Now that I've finally caught up on laundry, unpacking, etc. from vacation, we've settled into the easy routines of summer.

Summer vacation is a nice break for any kid in school, but for kids with CFS, it is a blissful relief. Jamie, whose CFS is much worse than Craig's, especially benefits from summertime. I've watched him this past week, and it's such a relief not to have to worry constantly about how he's feeling and whether he'll be able to go to school. When he's feeling good, Jamie runs around and plays with his friends, swims, hikes, whatever he feels like. If it was too much and he crashes the next day, he hangs out on the couch with a good book and is perfectly content. No pressure, no worries, no make-up work.

Both boys are staying up later (that means 9 pm for our CFS kids!!), and Craig still wakes pretty early, but Jamie can sleep in a bit (since he's in high school, his day begins at 6:20 am on school days). And I can sleep past 7 am! I don't even have to wear a watch. There are no schedules, no kids to meet at the bus stop, no rushes to school when Craig forgets his drums on band day. The kids and I have a leisurely breakfast, usually do some sort of household chore together for an hour or so (grocery shopping is so much easier with them along to push the car and help with the lifting), then they play and I do whatever I need to do. I'm trying not to put pressure on myself to be too productive working this summer.

But the best part about summer is the evenings. No homework, no soccer practice, no schedule, no scrambling to get the boys to bed by 8 pm. I've even been able to take a walk after dinner a few nights this week. Ah, summertime!