Marking the Calendar

What do you have on your calendar you’re looking forward to?

A vacation? A child’s recital, performance, sports event or graduation? A bbq, party or upcoming event?

When my boys entered school, the calendar became more important—when there were breaks, not breaks, and everything in-between. Our family has lived by the calendar (mainly the school calendar) for the past 15 years (K-12) between our two boys.

There is a part of me that loves the calendar — putting fun events/trips/performances down so we have visibility as we near the date. Of course, the calendar also holds doctor’s appointments and meetings. It’s not all fun stuff.

I’m mindful as the school year nears to a close (our school district goes thru mid-June) that the days of us being tied to the school calendar will come to an end. Bitter-sweet. Bitter since that part of our parenting journey will be over, but sweet in that we’re no longer tied to that calendar.

We’ll still be marking our calendar (think we’re in the habit now), but it’ll be much more sparse and likely a reminder of time passing and are kids becoming adults. Gulp.

What role does the family calendar play in your household?

School Vacations

Do you take vacation during your child’s school breaks?

We’ve been vacationing based on the public school calendar for a long time. With our oldest out of the house and our youngest a senior, we’re realizing we’re nearing an end to being tied to the school calendar. Partially a relief, and the other part sadness.

We most recently drove through the southeast during midwinter break, my youngest eager to visit a part of the country he’s not familiar with. We recognize how fortunate we are that we can take trips, and while hours in the car might not sound fun to most, it was worth it — especially since my son loves history and geography. Just listening to him share bits of information along the way made the trip memorable and more enjoyable. I’ll miss how he can create interest in something or some place that might seem otherwise uninteresting.

We’re going to try to pack in as much adventure as we can before he graduates. It’s still hard to believe we won’t be tied to the school calendar much longer.

How has the school calendar changed how you vacation? What trips have been the most memorable for you and your family?