I am really sad this week. More sad than I usually am. A different sad…..And it’s not because I miss my husband more this week-well maybe. It’s not because I am more tired of being a Solo Grandparent. It’s not because anything bad happened this week.
I am sad because this is the last of summer even though school has began. I am sad because this is when everything turns hectic with school -Friday night football, club meetings, after school functions….the list goes on and on. A teachers life is full then add in sweet grands and it is even more full. I’ve got the End of the Summer Time Blues.
Summer, for me, is the easiest time to be a widow with grandkids. It’s the only time of year when I can somewhat catch my breath. It’s the time of year when I can spend more time with my grandkids. It’s the season when I am actually, ever so slightly, a better, more fun Grammy. It’s the only time when I can actually relax for more than one hour a month.
Why?
- there is no homework to help finish
- there is no pressure to get dinner so that I get in bed early enough to get a good night’s rest before the next school day.
- we can all put our swimsuits on and play in the water as late as we want.
- we can pile on to the couch and watch a movie.
- In the summer, if I don’t go to the store on the weekends, it does not matter. There are no meal preps to make on Sundays
- I get more of sleep because there doesn’t have to be an alarm instead.
- I don’t have to get ready for school. No wonder the dark circles under my eyes are less pronounced during the summer.
During the summer
- I have more Me time. I can go places anytime without guilt. I can get a pedicure during the day. I can talk with my Bestie until 9:30pm.
- There are less practices and other activities that require my Grammy-Uber services.
- I have time to read, which I really enjoy
- I am less stressed and more relaxed.
- I get to spend more time with the people who matter the most. During the summer, we are not driving around in the car all the time.
- We have the time to clean up the garage, clean out drawers, and make piles of stuff the grands have outgrown. Purging the house is therapeutic.
- I get to do fun stuff with my retired neighbors during the summer.
When it’s summertime
- Sundays are not “prep for the week” days. They are just fun.
- The clock does not rule our lives.
- I do not wake up every morning and pray “just let us make it through everything we have going on today.”
- We get to go see the water, be it the beach, lake, swimming pool or a waterpark, which makes all of us so happy.
Summer 2025 was an incredible summer. We made fairy gardens everywhere in the yard. We created a backyard oasis. We watched some great movies together. We had lazy dinners on the patio at our favorite joint aka Grammy’s house. I read three “chick-lit” books. We spent time with families who we consider part of our family.
Summer 2025 has come to an end. And I am so sad. I dread this time of year…year after year. End of Summertime Blues.
It’s back to the crazy, frenetic pace that only a grandparent can understand. It’s back to the carefully orchestrated schedule that is so complicated, I still have to do it on paper. It’s back to waking up everyday and praying “just let us make it through everything we have going on today.”
It’s back to the 4:15am alarm, waking up, making breakfast, helping my daughter’s and son-in-law’s with their growing families while I balance teaching, my own homework (decided to go back to college a yr ago), helping shuttle grands to daily practices, early bedtimes, prep for the week Sundays, and…stress.
The good news is that it’s only nine months until Summer 2026.
About Pam Williams
Pam is originally from Texas, where she grew up as the oldest of her siblings. With more than 15 years of experience in the education field, she has dedicated the last four years to teaching graphic design. Throughout their time together, Pam regularly captured the ups and downs of their journey through blogging and journaling. Sadly, she lost her husband Glenn on November 3, 2019, due to complications from a congenital heart issue.
As she adjusts to her new role as a mother and bonus mother to five adult children, along with two wonderful sons-in-law, she proudly embraces her role as a Grammy to four adventurous grandchildren. Motivated by many to share her experiences, Pam has started a personal blog and plans to publish her writings for everyone to enjoy