“Summertime…and the livin’ is easy.” A melody I can listen to quite often when I want to reflect on the feeling of life’s possibilities. Many artists have covered the popular aria Summertime, but my favorite rendition has to be that of Ella Fitzgerald and her elegant approach of setting the tone to “take me away” - to a vacation resort, that is.
Music can definitely set the mood for the season, and boy, parents are certainly ready for the summertime - long months of nature’s playground of growth and prosperity, the sky’s clearest days of dancing birds, sand gripping your toes, heat tugging at the skin, and luggage tightly organized and ready to take flight. At least that’s what we envision in our minds when we drift off in carline. Suddenly, we’re brought back to reality and realize, “Oh my goodness, I haven’t signed my child up for summer camp!”
The point is, as parents, we like to consider the summer as a time to retreat from the school-year hustle of science projects, math homework, and softball practice - at least the kiddos do - and spending more moments connecting with family through quality time and revitalization. Of course, summertime is not only for get-aways (unless you’re a mom, ha!), but also a time where the littles get excited about exploratory learning, art, and adventure, which by the way, we’ve shared a ton of resources in this issue’s Camp Guide and on our website.
While we’re on the subject of revival, be sure to check out our celebration-of-mothers feature, where we share a snapshot from the world of real-life supermoms and the never-ending race to balance “working” motherhood. Motherhood isn’t always glamorous and certainly not prejudice to extending life’s challenges, but the brilliance of these moms is magnified because of their consistent diligence to conquer.
Before I go, I truly appreciate the warm welcomes I’ve received thus far from the Memphis Parent community and friends, and look forward to gracefully carrying the torch that Shara Clark, former MP editor, has passed on to me. I’m most excited in continuing the advancement of this publication and impacting others with stories we build together as parents.
Catch you later,
— Erika Cain, Editor