School is officially out for the summer here. My son is happily lazing for these first few days – probably a week, really – and as his parent I am dutifully hunting for ways to keep him occupied and learning. Which, to be fair, will probably only last a week or two and we’ll both get into a routine where I’m constantly interrupted from writing due to his very existence.
Because he needs food.
Or he found a funny video.
Or he wants to include me in on his own writing schemes and ask for advice. (Be still, my beating heart!)
Yes, I have encouraged him to do this. He’s 15. I’m 90% certain he can get a tiny part-time something or other at this age doing something on a farm or landscaping or whatever. Because this experience is important. Clocking in and out and being held accountable for certain hours of your day is, in fact, paramount to survival in our society.
And it’s humbling.
I hated working in fast food, but I wouldn’t trade the experience of having done it. You won’t ever see me snarling at some poor Schmoe at the cash register for getting my change wrong, because I was once that poor Schmoe. So, yes, I want my son to put himself in those shoes for a summer or two.
Not at fast food yet, though. That can be next year or the year after.
So where, or where will my writing time be?
I suppose we will have to see. He does have interest in web design and such, so I might let him try his hand at building me a brand spanking new website over the summer, which would cut down transportation costs and permit me to write more, but it loses the “Clock in and Out” part because… you know… I’m his mother.
