MY TEEN WON'T SPEND THE ENTIRE SUMMER PLAYING FORTNITE!

Honestly, I'm SO looking forward to summer... And I'm SO dreading summer!

I can tell my kids are "done" with school. For the last few weeks, they have listlessly been dragging themselves out of bed slogging through the final few days before the glorious end next week.

Yesterday, I drove the five kid carpool. As they unloaded from the car and the Principal greeted them with a chipper, "Hey, guys, only 5 days left!" I'm sure I heard a collective, "Ugh," as they exited the vehicle.

I'm excited for them to have down time, away from school and homework and sports and plays and all the other activities that keep them growing and learning. We all need time to "go offline" and recharge, which is why when my 12 year old daughter, Kylie, asked to go to "device free" sleep away camp for a month this summer, we said, "Yes." I can tell she craves the time that we had as kids, just exploring, making friends, eating meals unplugged, learning camp songs, creating skits and, wait for it, maybe even letting a little boredom be the mother of invention. They have down time at camp which is just that, down time, nothing planned, no activity to be shuttled to, just get out a book and read or write in a journal or go for a walk with a friend.

My middle son, Parker, age 14, will be starting high school in the Fall. He is so ready for the change, which is great to see. He's agreed that doing a bit of summer school (which I'm thrilled to overhear him refer to it as "camp") to get the mandatory reading out of the way.

I used to think I'd never make my kid "do summer school," but here's my dilemma and why I've pivoted from that.

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