School’s out for the summer! (Sing it!)

Time for Mommy’s Summer Life Skills Camp!

You may remember last year when I introduced my concept: just because the school learning stops doesn’t mean the life skills learning does. I’ve always believed school is there to teach my kids academics. I’m here to teach them about life and the world. And hopefully raise them to be upstanding citizens in the process.

A few weeks ago, I was celebrating the fact that my kids could make their own lunch. Turns out that was just the beginning.

I felt like Summer Life Skills Camp was coming into this summer a little light, but things have a way of morphing themselves.

For my daughter this year:

• Math, because she needs it, not because she loves it.
• Typing. I really wish they taught it in school, but they don’t, and I refuse to raise two hunt-and-peckers like my husband.
• Voluntary Duolingo. She’s gotten into learning Spanish this last month, so let’s keep that going.

My son? Well, last year was about cooking. I think we’re going to keep that going.

And then, something happened.

I’ve been taking my son to a lot of away baseball games. Like, leave at 4 p.m. to be there an hour early at 5 p.m. for the game to start at 6 p.m., leave at 8 p.m., back at 9 p.m. kind of schedule.

That means I’m not home for dinner.

My husband’s default is fast food, but I think I’m raising my kids to realize that’s not the best for your body or your wallet.

On the last day of school, I took my kids to Chick-fil-A. It’s a tradition.

That night? Baseball game.

My daughter texted me that she didn’t know what to do for dinner because Daddy doesn’t make the same meals I do. (Mind you, he’d cooked her a grilled cheese the night before.)

We went back and forth about what she could make herself and finally landed on a quesadilla.

I talked her through getting the tortilla, the cheese, the shredder, shredding the cheese, and how long to microwave it. She also decided she’d make a fruit salad.

And then Daddy could take her to the ice cream parlor for dessert.

She was proud.

I was proud.

And then I thought, This is a thing.

The next game, I had planned to make spaghetti and meatballs to take along in a thermos. I precooked the meatballs so my son could eat before we left.

Then I talked her through making the pasta.

We even prepped a Caesar salad with just the lettuce and croutons so all she had to do was add the dressing.

When it was time, she called me, I talked her through cooking the pasta, and voilà.

Dinner.

Next time? Nachos.

Tortilla chips, corn, beans, cheese.

Done.

This week, as I was meal planning and putting together my grocery list, I said, “Pick a meal you want to make. You’re both cooking next week.”

My son actually found a recipe he wants to try for mango-marinated hamburgers. I’m not so sure about that one, but he loves mango, so hopefully it won’t be horrible.

And then I took them to the grocery store with me.

I gave them each a list.

They each got a shopping cart.

My son found everything except one item that appeared to be out of stock. My daughter needed a little guidance on two items, but she found them.

And they loved it.

They can’t wait to go back.

It’s funny. Every year I start Summer Life Skills Camp thinking about what I need to teach them. But it always seems to end the same way: with something I no longer have to do myself.

One day they’ll leave home knowing how to feed themselves, grocery shop, manage a household, and figure things out when I’m not there.

Until then, we’ll keep practicing one quesadilla at a time.