I am not sure there is such a thing anymore. The saying has lost its meaning, at least for me. I would love to recapture the spirit of the lazy days of summer. I remember reading “The Divine Secrets of the YaYa Sisters” when I was a younger mama. I remember thinking these ladies were crazy to sit around on the banks of a river, drinking all day long. The kids ran around playing in the water while their mamas got smashed. I remember thinking there is NO way I could do that. Now, I’m not so sure I couldn’t…except for the drinking all day part. I could definitely sit around all day on the banks of a river while my kids splashed about in the water.

When I was a kid I spent my days walking to and from the pool while my mom did whatever she did all day long. I didn’t see my mother for hours at a time. I was too busy playing with my friends to bother my mom all day…at least that’s the way I remember it.

I remember my lazy days of summer. They are a fond memory for me. My mother may remember those days much differently. She may remember a little girl who was always asking for a ride to or from some activity. Or she may remember a little girl who always pleaded boredom when there was more than plenty to do. I just remember freedom from structure, days spent by the pool and more adventures than I could possibly imagine.

Now, I spend my summer days shuttling kids from activity to activity. The lazy days of summer are lazy no more. The kids have activities planned with their friends. They want to go to a movie, the mall, an amusement park. I seem to always know where my kids are. They aren’t gone for hours at a time. They are underfoot asking for rides and telling me how bored they are. What I wouldn’t do for a few lazy days of summer.

But my kids will remember this time differently, I am sure, just as my mom probably remembers my “lazy days of summer” much differently than I do. But that’s alright. I think, and hope, they will have fond memories of their own version of the lazy days of summer.

Oh, for the love of my children…