My Own Utopian Experiment #19: Crossing off my bucket list and let appreciation overflows
I admit I have been romanticizing about having fun during the summer without working. This does not mean I hate what I am doing for a living. I am actually quite satisfied with my career. At the same time, it is just so true that my desire to be with my child for the full-time during the summer was never fully fulfilled. Yes, I do balance between work and life to enjoy both. The balancing is also another full-time job which requires constant pulls and tugs. It is becoming easier with experience but not easy. Like anything else, you need some soul-searching and many trials to find the system that works for you.
I wrote, “a lot of summer fun with him that feels enough for me” on my bucket list. As you can see, it is very self-centered too. It has to be enough for ME. It is not his but my desire. It is not realistic either since I have a full-time job and I also play like kids. The playing and parties never end. But this is the beauty of your own bucket list. You should write exactly in the way you want. I really recommend to write it without cutting off or downsizing anything. Bucket list should have the exact thing that would satisfy you nearly completely. For bucket list, what you want is what you need!
“Enough summer Fun that feels enough for me” has been there without being crossed off for quite some time. This is the last week of June. I think I am able to cross that off this summer finally. It is not perfect. It is a quite a juggle between work schedule, house chores and that “enough” fun. I am trying my best to fulfill my desire as a mom. I am really conscious about this since time flies. I am being very creative on this mission this year. I would like to tell myself and other working parents that you do not have to feel like choosing between work and being with your kids. It is not going to be perfect but we can get very close if you do not give up. The soul-searching part and trials are hard but always remember that’s the journey that gets to where you want. I hope my list and reflection help yours. Wish me luck on crossing my bucket list! Let’s have a good summer and let appreciation overflows. I wish you the best luck and sending my love.
- I am thankful that his usual summer camp program was discontinued without a notice.
Yes, you heard this right. I freaked out when I found out his usual camp (we called it summer school) was no longer there. He loved the program so much since pre-school and was not willing to some place else. By the time we search for other options, most of them were full anyways. We were forced to take adventurous routes this summer. It is definitely out of our comfort zones for both of us. He tried a short sport camp for the first time and happened to meet a classmate there. It was a totally random surprise. He loved the experience over all. I also have my own plans to substitute our beloved discontinued summer school. Our plan has been going well so far. It is more work on my side planning but it is a nice experiment to do. Again, I will find the system that works for me at the end. I just know it from my experience.
- I am thankful for my son being a such a good child
I can do the above and working because he is an independent and a good child. He understands that I need to work and he says he is proud of me. That helps me more than anything. He also came up with a list of things to do during the summer. He is fulfilling his side of fun and pursuing interests. Very proud of him owning some responsibilities. He is learning the life skills to spend the time on his own without being so bored and watching screen.
- I am thankful and proud of him trying his interest
He is trying an art class during the summer. He picked this on his own to pursue his interest. I put very high value on entertaining his own interests. This helps two sides, him having fun working on his projects and me working. I always encourage him not to ignore even small interests. It finally has some effects. Very proud making the commitment.
- I am thankful for all of his friends
I am very grateful that he has friends in walking distance. They get enough outdoor play and socialization. We have two playgrounds in walking distance and enough space in front or back of the house to play. He really loves everyone and enjoying being with them. I also love watching them playing. I feel like all the nice kids ended up in my neighborhood. We are lucky to have them around.
- I am thankful for our community pool.
I am very thankful for the pool we share with neighbors. I no longer know how I can survive without this option. We love our community pool. It is less crowded than the public. He always finds and meet friends there. His swimming skills got so much better this year. He finally mastered taking breaths to go to the end of the pool. He did not need swimming lessons because of lots of swimming each summer there. He became a self-learner swimmer.
- I am thankful for little son-mom dates during the summer.
Even though we can’t go far on some days, we like to go on a date with the time we have. We both are early birds so we go to bakery to buy fresh baked breads which is his favorite. We even go to a local fresh market and we can still make home by working hour. We go to lunch at his favorite restaurants and ice cream dates where they have chess set. He is a chess player and he wins almost every time. He sometimes picks out a new desert shop he wants to try. We go on a little adventure. I cherish those little moments.
- I am thankful for a warm invitation to sleep-over at friend’s new nest.
The last time I stayed at anyone’s house was almost 5 years ago and it was just me without my family. Sleep-over was on my son’s bucket list and he crossed that off due to a warm invitation from a friend. When she moved far away, I honestly had separation anxiety. We both tried to meet a few times but could not make it. It was so nice reunion as two families. I love my friend and his family. We spent two days eating, driving, playing, walking around downtown, talking, getting tired together and sleeping under the same roof. We brought lots of good memories that would last forever.
- I am thankful for my hubby.
His work schedule is crazier than mine. This means I do not get much help during the weekdays but he usually plays with him on weekends. They go on a movie, basketball court, library or pool just two of them. I know candy shopping and arcade are on their list. This gives me time to cook in bulk and shop without rushing. I enjoy house making more when I am not in rush. It is a great support. They also can spend some quality time together. They call it “man time”.
- I am thankful for things that we can look forward to.
We plan to go to a concert in July. It will be first time for my son to go to a pop star concert. It can be a little too much with lots of people but I think he would enjoy it. He knows some of her songs already as well. We are going as a family so it will be a nice adventure. My son wants to go to downtown so we are planning. This year, I am taking him to a book fair that I usually go alone each year. He does not know it now but I will allow him to get his books as much as he can hold himself. I am talking to one mom for a playdate. I have to tell him when we make a commitment. He tends to ask 100 times and re-confirm another 100 times. I am not very big on long vacations anymore but likes a few mini-vacations. My wish is to go to Michigan, Milwaukee or Wisconsin. His wish is to go to a trampoline park. That’s not so hard to do so we will go in near future. He is already looking forward to the new class assignment for Aug. We do have a block party each year in Aug as well. The list is piling up and I am happy about it.
- I am thankful for my normal days and health.
I love my ordinary days with my routine repeating daily without major concerns. It is peaceful, calming and pleasant. I do not have doubts or much worries. My days look about the same from outside but every day has a charm. I often tell God “Thank you. It is nice to be alive!”
- I am thankful for motherhood.
I cherish my motherhood more than anything. My son still wakes me up with a kiss, hugs and saying “love you”. Nice to wake up every morning with so much love and affection. He is just a very happy child. The cute face and innocent conversations never get old. I actually can spend whole day looking at his face and talking. I admit I became a child all over again when I had him. My days bring more fun. I play like a child too. I am reliving my childhood and being part of his childhood. I witness every day the essence of being alive and being a mom. That alone can be my purpose and mission on this planet. That’s one of the reasons that I am no loner have doubt or confusion on most of the things. I have found my perfect spot.