Surviving the Summer: What Do I Do With Myself?

woman crying in black and whiteNo one ever really prepares you for parenthood. People can tell you all the mistakes they made and offer their advice, but let’s be honest, you don’t know anything until you have experienced it yourself.

My son’s dad and I have been divorced since 2015. His dad lives in another state so he doesn’t get to spend as much time with his dad as he would if we lived near each other. Every year, my son spends the entire summer with his dad.

I put him on the plane for this summer and I LOST IT. In the airport, sitting there, bawling my eyes out. Thankfully no one came up to me to check on me because I most likely would have started crying even more.

The first and second year I had to send my baby away were hard, but then I started to get used to it. I started to enjoy my time alone as I am NEVER alone. He is with me 95% of the year. This will be the 6th summer he has been away, and this one is hitting me hard.

What am I going to do all summer? What have I done in summers past? Well, I would GO to work. I am still working from home due to the pandemic. Last summer I stayed with my boyfriend who lives in another city. But this summer, I have chickens to tend to, I have a house to continue to maintain. But it is empty. Is this what it will feel like when he graduates from high school and goes off to college or joins the military, or whatever his future plan may be? Am I experiencing empty nest syndrome?

It is just hitting me harder this year because he is getting older and reality is setting in. I need more hobbies; I need this time to decompress from the year of being with him almost 24/7. I understand this, but it still doesn’t make it any easier.

You all offer me some hobbies I can pick up to pass the time.

What does your summer look like?

Jeanne DeLasalle
Jeanne is a single mom to a wonderful son who loves nothing more than her family, friends, and her Saints. Born and raised in New Orleans, she enjoys everything this city has to offer. In her spare time you can catch her napping or binge watching movies on her couch. On Sunday's in the fall, she is in the Superdome and goes into a state of depression when football season is over.

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