Different kind of balancing act

Let's do some Common Core math.

If there are approximately four days of school left for children in the Tamaqua and Lehighton school districts and seven days remaining for Panther Valley and Jim Thorpe; and then if there are approximately 101 days until Tamaqua schools are back in session, 112 days for Lehighton, 85 days for Jim Thorpe and Panther Valley schools, how many days will it take before our sanity as mothers is ready for our bickering, bored children to be given back to their brave, unsuspecting teachers?

Mothers balance things. It's just what they do. Whether it's a mom who goes to a job or works from the home or at home, it's a balancing act worthy of the Barnum & Bailey Circus.

The kids, the house, the meals, the job and the chauffeuring are all part of the act. But it seems the most challenging part is the balancing of the thing moms avoid talking about: Wanting our children home for the summer but still wanting to keep our sanity.

After speaking to several local moms and grandmothers on how they find the balance, it's clear that the struggle is real and it's an easy one to lose.

Kimara Hutton, a dental hygienist looks forward to having her two girls home for the summer.

"It's a much more relaxed time of the year and we don't have to get up early or worry about homework."

But her next response when asked how she keeps her sanity was simple.

"I'll let you know," she said.

"Each year is different," Hutton said. "As the girls get older and change, I have to change what we do in the summer to keep it all going. We are looking into some camps this year and the days I have off, we will plan some day trips."

Hutton's mother, Nancy Pollock, is a great help with her granddaughters all throughout the year. Summers are her favorite time.

"We live on a farm so there is always something to do like making a clubhouse in the barn or swimming and kayaking in the pond," Pollock said. "Not to mention bringing stray kittens in the house for 'Nanny' to save from the elements."

Mother and grandmother were asked the same question: How quickly does sibling rivalry kick in?

Here's where the balance shifts.

Hutton's answer: "Almost instantly."

Pollock's answer: "Oh, that's really not a problem."

The two had similar opinions on today's technology and whether it is an advantage to keeping their girls busy.

"Sometimes I'm grateful it keeps them occupied, but sometimes not," Hutton said.

Her mother agreed, but wishes it weren't such a constant in their daily lives.

As all mothers get older, it's easy to wish that some things were like they were in the past and that children would play the way their moms played and appreciate the things that they didn't at the time.

Hutton and her mother are trying to raise the girls to enjoy the kinds of summers they both did as children: being outside, being creative and just being kids.

So as mothers, where is the balance?

We love to spend time with our children. We love the freedom that the beautiful season of summer brings to our families.

Perhaps Pollock somes it up best.

"Who says I keep my sanity? I just resign myself to 'go with the flow'."

When Common Core comes up with a solution for this balance, we'll let you know.