Here we are: the first Monday of summer vacation, and I am trying to find balance. The right balance between routine and freedom for my little girl and myself, as this is her first true summer vacation, having just finished Kindergarten. No more preschool/summer daycare and, with my husband working in ministry, that means that it will be mostly me and her all day every day this summer.

I acknowledge that this will be vastly different from the routine days of her infancy and toddlerhood. Looking back, I love the routine we had then, miss it even. However, I know that I need to be careful about trying to replicate that with a six year old who is a different creature altogether than her two- or three-year-old self. I want the summer to be a good one. I don’t want it to be me constantly barking at or being annoyed with my precocious daughter who often outpaces me in energy and extrovertedness. I want to enjoy being with her and for her to enjoy being with me. So far, today has been nice, so…fingers crossed.

I just want it to be good, for all of us. Prayers are muchly appreciated.