Parenting at the cottage is hard

I remember reading a blog post a few weeks ago that mentioned how parenting at the cottage is easier. The gist of the post is that kids are encouraged to run, jump, swim and get dirty while adults can sit on the dock relaxing, enjoying company and drinking is encouraged. I wholeheartedly agree with all of those points… Unless you have small kids. I have to say that for me, it is harder to be a good parent at the cottage.

For one, danger lurks everywhere.  And if you know me, you know I’m not one to shy away from danger. Except, it’s my kids we’re talking about. I have three boys under the age of 5 and none of them know how to swim.  Even though we make them wear a life jacket at all times when they are on the dock, I’m still worried that they might accidentally fall in or could wonder down to the water without us. Therefore, there is definitely less relaxing and sitting lazily on the dock and more of a constant hover and ensuring that my 11 month old doesn’t decide to crawl off the deck.

I’m not sure about all young kids but my kids must have me or my husband play every single game with them. We’re working on getting them to play independently, but even when they do, it’s not long before we hear them calling for us to join in on their game. So again, less sitting and relaxing, and more running, jumping and getting dirty ourselves.

Our Cottage (aka cabin) is fairly small. So on a cold rainy day, we’re confined to a really small space. Also, there’s zero privacy. The cottage is one floor under 700 square feet. There’s literally no where to hide take a break alone.

When we are at the cottage, miles away from the city and all of the rules we have at home, I often let my guard down. Our kids can stay up late, we often give them popsicles before lunch (because we want to eat them too) and so on…. Since we’re more laid back, our kids push their limits a little more. This equals more stress for my husband and I, which in turn causes us to make constant threats and discipline in ways that we wouldn’t at home.

Just this past weekend, due to unforeseen circumstances, I had to spend a day and a half at the cottage with the boys alone.  While I rocked the first 12 hours (mostly), the last 1/2 day seemed like an eternity.  Without an extra set of hands, and all of the issues mentioned above, I felt like I needed a week’s vacation when my husband FINALLY returned. I’m not sure who was more excited to see him, me or the boys. I was mentally, physically and emotionally exhausted.

The thing is, I know that this experience will be short lived.  I know that once the boys grow up and become more independent and better swimmers, summers at the cottage will be our sanctuary.  I know we will all look forward to our time up there and I will probably (just probably) manage to stay up alone with the boys while my husband works.

Or maybe it is just wishful thinking?!?!?