"School-cation"

Well, that was interesting. A week with my kids, during their April Vacation week. I had previously endured February vacation, however, I had just been laid off, so that was much more of a blur. I had no idea how difficult it would be to entertain a 5 and 13 year old for a week. I can't even say which one's needs were easier to fulfill. The 5 year old referred to the week as school-cation. She likes school, and asked each day when Monday was coming.

I watched the stay at home mommies come and go from their mini-vans, out the door by 10 or 11, returning around 3 or 4. Where did they go? What in the world were they doing? Were they taking their children somewhere to drop them off that I was unaware existed? As a working mommie school vacation week was just another week of work for me. I'd get the kids all set in an all day program at the Y where they had a blast going on field trips or doing crafts. Not this vacation. I was the "why" as in "why are we staying in a jammies all day?" Or, "why can't I go to breakfast, lunch and the movies with my friends everyday?" In my experience, going out costs money, and I was on a new tack.

I tried to make them feel better early in the week by making them breakfast from Mommies Restaurant. They could have whatever they wanted. Ok, so that lasted maybe one day. Lunch was easy. I am so grateful for grilled cheese and tomato soup, until we ran out of cheese on day 4. And my lack of spending habit prevented me from going to the grocery store. (Somehow, I've got it in my head that I can only go to the grocery store on Mondays, and we can live off the food that we have already. Well, that and leftover Easter candy.)

The 13 year old on the other hand has come accustomed to dining out with his friends. My husband and I decided to take the little one out for breakfast one day, while our son was also out with his friends. We generously handed him $20 and let him sit with his friends on the other side of the restaurant. The three of us enjoyed our breakfast until my son came over and asked for more money. How could he possibly need more than $20 when our combined total for three was $21.52? What had he eaten? Did he pay for everyone at the table? Is he aware that we are under financial lockdown? Clearly he has no concept of money. Sounded familiar. Maybe me in a previous life, say four months ago?

I found myself clarifying to him that he can no longer afford his going out lifestyle unless he finds a way of making money. I wore him down. He finally fessed up to me that he used to have money when I gave him lunch money each week leftover. I had a feeling $5 a day seemed like a lot. He had created his own little Ponzi scheme on his mother! Brilliant child.

As far as the little one was concerned she truly enjoyed the multiple hour marathons of Phineas and Ferb, Spongebob and the occasional Franklin episodes. I continued to stay focused on my project du jour, aka Molly's First Communion Dress. I promised myself I wouldn't leave the house until it was done. I thought I could drag it out the whole week, however, by Thursday it was time to send it off. I was devastated. What was I to do next? This had consumed my life for nearly three months, and kept my mind clear of the fact I had lost my job.

Reality struck. The weather warmed up. The 13 year old stayed at friend's houses for the remaining three days, occasionally calling for money to be dropped off in an envelope at an undisclosed location (for which I did not oblige). But the 5 year old, happy as a clam in Bikini Bottom, yelled for food and drink, could care less that my project was done. She was just happy we were home, together, during schoolcation week.