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July 14, 2014 by: Shell

Hey, It’s Okay: Summer Edition

Hey, It’s Okay…

It’s okay to be the one who brings watermelon as a side dish to a cookout, even if you’re usually the one who bakes and comes up with creative things to take as your contribution.

It’s okay if you can’t remember the last time your kids took a proper bath since the pool and the beach count as getting clean, right?

It’s okay to have thrown bedtimes out the window this summer.

It’s okay if bedtime is whenever the kids start getting too rowdy.

It’s okay if you didn’t get a chance to shave your legs for a few days and yet you still wear shorts.

It’s okay to have dressed up your kids(and yourself) as cows for Cow Appreciation Day because hey, free food!

cow appreciation day

It’s okay if you’ve decided lunch is completely up to your kids: you’ll make them breakfast and dinner, but they know where the kitchen is, so they can eat whatever whenever for lunch.

It’s okay if you’ve been washing and rewearing the same two pairs of shorts over and over again because you finally found two pairs that are flattering but don’t show way more than you’d ever consider showing even at the beach.

It’s okay to turn into a helicopter parent at the pool because you’re worried about your kids possibly drowning. That’s not helicoptering, that’s keeping your kids safe.

It’s okay to think the time to leave the pool is whenever it gets too crowded to easily keep an eye on all your kids.

It’s okay to be well aware of National Ice Cream Month and Milkshake Day.

It’s okay to decide you hate your swimsuit and buy a new one when they go on clearance in July.

It’s okay to wait so late in the summer for your summer vacation that your kids will miss their first two days of school.

It’s okay to laugh at someone who says that flip flops aren’t appropriate shoe attire with your dresses and wear them anyway.

It’s summer…. sometimes we have to let some things go.

Tell me, what is your summer “It’s okay….?”

Joining in with Amber from Airing My Dirty Laundry for Hey, It’s Okay, an idea she got from Glamour magazine. Isn’t it fun? 

 

Why We Judge: Things They Can’t Say
Cool Morning Treat #IcedDelight

Comments

  1. Robin (Masshole Mommy) says

    July 14, 2014 at 9:23 am

    We definitley lighten up over the summer.  The kids are going to bed later and we just haven’t abided by as many rules in general!

    • Shell says

      July 15, 2014 at 6:40 pm

      There’s so much less stress and schedules needed in the summer. I love it. 

  2. Terry says

    July 14, 2014 at 9:36 am

    We do a lot of grilling in the summer.  My Hubs is the grill master, so I don’t have to cook.  But I do have to clean up.

    • Shell says

      July 15, 2014 at 6:41 pm

      I love grilling out. I’ll take the cleaning if I don’t have to cook. 

  3. Lisa @ Atypical Familia says

    July 14, 2014 at 9:38 am

    LOVE it! It’s totally okay to throw bedtime out the window. And it’s absolutely to wear flip-flops to the office and then “forget” to change into your other – less comfortable – shoes. 

    • Shell says

      July 15, 2014 at 6:41 pm

      I used to do that all the time when I pregnant and teaching. My feet needed those flip flops! 

  4. Kay Adeola says

    July 14, 2014 at 9:42 am

    I love this post,We do a lot of things over the summer that normally would not be OK.

    • Shell says

      July 15, 2014 at 6:42 pm

      It’s a time to be more laid back! 

  5. Lindsey @ Redhead Baby Mama says

    July 14, 2014 at 10:12 am

    Amen, sister. We pushed bedtime late this summer, have started going without a lot of naps so that bedtime is less of a fuss, and are trying to eat more leftovers.  Because it’s ok to not want to cook.

    • Shell says

      July 15, 2014 at 6:42 pm

      Leftovers are a lifesaver. I don’t want to cook every night! 

  6. Julia says

    July 14, 2014 at 10:17 am

    It’s OK that the toys have burst out of the playroom and that clean the kitchen is still on my to do list. It’s ok that I’m still in my pajamas at 10 am. 

    • Shell says

      July 15, 2014 at 6:43 pm

      I still need to clean my kitchen before tomorrow. Sigh. 

  7. Allison B says

    July 14, 2014 at 11:31 am

    Wait someone actually thinks flip flops aren’t right for dresses? What else would you wear on your feet in the summer? I say it’s OK to stay at the pool all day just so the kids will sleep good at night. And relax on the rules. And refuse to do organized sports. And not keep the house as clean. Pretty much anything goes in the summer for me. We’ve already had ice cream for dinner this summer twice. 

    • Shell says

      July 15, 2014 at 6:43 pm

      I love all the activity wearing the kids out! I don’t know what else to wear with sundresses! 

  8. Liz Mays says

    July 14, 2014 at 11:50 am

    My flip flops are the standard attire with my dresses too. I think your kids fending for themselves at lunchtime is a great idea!

    • Shell says

      July 15, 2014 at 6:44 pm

      I barely even own anything other than flip flops! The lunchtime thing has made me life a lot easier 

  9. VandyJ says

    July 14, 2014 at 11:50 am

    Hey, it’s OK to serve grapes as a side dish with dinner because the thought of cooking another veggie is just more effort than you want to attempt–also dishes.
    It’s OK to trade video game time for reading time at a two to one ratio–30 minutes of reading time for an hour of game time.

    • Shell says

      July 15, 2014 at 6:44 pm

      That ratio sounds about right! And yes, I do the same with fruit as a side! 

  10. Amber Conaway says

    July 14, 2014 at 11:58 am

    I am way more at ease in the summer, especially now that my son is starting preschool in the fall I am SO going to miss him so we’ve been relaxing even more LOL I am that flip flop person that wears them all day every day in the summer no matter what I am wearing LOL 

    • Shell says

      July 15, 2014 at 6:45 pm

      I pretty much live in flip flops almost all year round. My youngest will be in school full day for the first time this fall, so we’re enjoying it while we can. 

  11. Betsy Mitchell says

    July 14, 2014 at 11:59 am

    Cute outfits! I love seeing everyone’s Chick Fil A costumes. 

    • Shell says

      July 15, 2014 at 6:45 pm

      It snuck up on me. I just used the printables from the CFA site. 

  12. Kir says

    July 14, 2014 at 12:02 pm

    HEE!!!! 🙂 I loved this…
    🙂 
    xo

    • Shell says

      July 15, 2014 at 6:46 pm

      Thanks, Kir! Summer is time for letting things go! 

  13. JDaniel4's Mom says

    July 14, 2014 at 3:18 pm

    I totally think all that these things are great! I love celebrating the special holidays.

    • Shell says

      July 15, 2014 at 6:46 pm

      Thanks! It’s a fun summer. 

  14. Shop with Me Mama (Kim) says

    July 14, 2014 at 3:36 pm

    LOVE the cow picture for free food! LOL! I let the kids stay up a while longer in the summertime. No worries, just relaxing! Love it!

    • Shell says

      July 15, 2014 at 6:46 pm

      When mine were younger, I had to keep their bedtimes, even in summer, because they’d get cranky. But now, it’s not such a big deal so I’m much more relaxed about it. 

  15. Amanda Her says

    July 14, 2014 at 4:01 pm

    I agree with all of these!  Although, I probably shouldn’t wear shorts for too much longer without shaving.

    • Shell says

      July 15, 2014 at 6:47 pm

      A few days, I’ll go. And then I need to shave. 

  16. Amber says

    July 14, 2014 at 4:16 pm

    I LOVE the cow outfits. I need to do that next time. 

    Bedtimes don’t really happen during the summer here either. The kids do go upstairs at 8, but they usually don’t sleep until 11.

    • Shell says

      July 15, 2014 at 6:48 pm

      We just printed off the costumes that were on the CFA site. Some people got really creative in making theirs. But ours were good enough for free meals. 

  17. Jaime says

    July 14, 2014 at 4:25 pm

    I’ve thrown a lot of my rules out the window this summer. And, yes, it’s ok to do all of the above. 🙂 (I need to borrow this idea for my blog. Such a great reminder that it’s really ok to let it go!)

    • Shell says

      July 15, 2014 at 6:48 pm

      It’s fun to do, isn’t it? Amber has a link up on her blog every Tuesday. 

  18. Jenn @TheRebelChick says

    July 14, 2014 at 4:48 pm

    It is always okay to get dressed up for free food! LOL! It shouldn’t just be regulated to Halloween!

    • Shell says

      July 15, 2014 at 6:48 pm

      Exactly. And it’s such fun! 

  19. Jenni E. {Sweet Pennies from Heaven} says

    July 14, 2014 at 4:51 pm

    Summer is the season to get dirty! ANDDDD I agree with you. Pool days and beaches DO count as baths. HAHA!

    • Shell says

      July 15, 2014 at 6:49 pm

      Good. B/c I’d seriously lost track of the last time mine had had baths! 

  20. Chrystal @ YUM eating says

    July 14, 2014 at 5:54 pm

    There are some things I lighten up about, others, not so much. But the pool/shower, thats totally us.

    • Shell says

      July 15, 2014 at 6:49 pm

      I can’t let everything go or it would be mass chaos. But I definitely let go of some of it! 

  21. Felicia says

    July 14, 2014 at 7:52 pm

    I agree on the clearance bathing suit!  I wish I could find a good clearance suit.  

    • Shell says

      July 15, 2014 at 6:50 pm

      I am loving mine from Athleta. A bunch of theirs went on sale this week online, if you’re looking!

  22. Kecia says

    July 14, 2014 at 8:39 pm

    I am totally kicking myself for forgetting Cow Appreciation Day. I’d be all over some free Chick-Fil-A!!

    • Shell says

      July 15, 2014 at 6:50 pm

      I almost forgot! I saw a friend’s kids dressed up as cows on fb and it reminded me. 

  23. Jennifer B says

    July 14, 2014 at 8:59 pm

    I love seeing all the pictures of people dressed like cows to get free chicken. I wish I would’ve known ahead of time so I could have planned to do the same. 

    • Shell says

      July 15, 2014 at 6:51 pm

      There were some super creative costumes! We went with the printables that were on the CFA site because I forgot until the day of. 

  24. Jessica (Savory Experiments) says

    July 14, 2014 at 9:11 pm

    The beach and pool totally count as bathing!!! Chlorine kills everything! 

    • Shell says

      July 15, 2014 at 6:51 pm

      Oh good! We were at the pool today- so no baths needed! 

  25. Shannon Gosney says

    July 14, 2014 at 9:30 pm

    I love eating at Chick Fil A.  Love your kids’ cow costumes!  🙂

    • Shell says

      July 15, 2014 at 6:52 pm

      Me, too! Their spicy chicken is my favorite, but their new salads are amazing, too. 

  26. Christie says

    July 14, 2014 at 10:39 pm

    Sometimes it is totally ok! I love the kids’ costumes

    • Shell says

      July 15, 2014 at 6:52 pm

      We have to let somethings go in summer! And thanks- we had fun at CFA! 

  27. Stacey says

    July 14, 2014 at 10:40 pm

    I love these! Especially the one about the proper bath. I mean, the pool has chlorine in it, right? So that totally counts! 

    • Shell says

      July 15, 2014 at 6:53 pm

      I hope it counts! We went swimming today and I wasn’t planning on baths tonight! Except for me. 😉 

  28. Brandi says

    July 14, 2014 at 11:07 pm

    Bedtimes have definitely been thrown out the window for the most part. We also let the kids stay outside longer in the evenings during the summer!

    • Shell says

      July 15, 2014 at 6:53 pm

      As long as mine are being good and having fun- I’m just not picky about bedtimes at all. School time will be a shock. 

  29. Veronica says

    July 14, 2014 at 11:19 pm

    I like summers because I can truly sleep in everyday. And things just slow down and wayyyy easier

    • Shell says

      July 15, 2014 at 6:54 pm

      I love sleeping in. I don’t sleep in as late as I used to but it’s still way later than during the school year. 

  30. Theresa says

    July 14, 2014 at 11:42 pm

    Flip flops don’t go with dresses in the summer? I would be tempted to punch someone in the face if they made that comment to me. I live in flip flops and dresses in the summer. And that is definitely ok lol.

    • Shell says

      July 15, 2014 at 6:54 pm

      Ha! I know, right? And you can still look dressy in flip flops. 

  31. Krystal says

    July 15, 2014 at 12:01 am

    Gotta love Cow Appreciation Day! It’s such a fun promotion!

    • Shell says

      July 15, 2014 at 6:55 pm

      It really is. There were so many creative costumes. 

  32. Lisa says

    July 15, 2014 at 12:16 am

    It’s okay if it’s going to be the hottest day of the Summer so far when we are heading to the amusment park. We will still have fun. 😉 Cute kiddos too!

    • Shell says

      July 15, 2014 at 6:55 pm

      Oh, I know! We’ll be at an amusement park in August. Everyone says we’re crazy, but it will still be fun.

  33. Carly Bellard says

    July 15, 2014 at 12:21 am

    I agree with all of those! I wear flip flops with everything and I actually bathed my kids in the kiddie pool!

    • Shell says

      July 15, 2014 at 6:56 pm

      I practically live in flip flops all year long. We swam today, so no baths! 

  34. Aimee Smith says

    July 15, 2014 at 1:40 am

    I should have a list like this on the fridge. My favorite is- It’s okay to not be a “dressing on the side” kind of girl 🙂 (I love dressing )

    • Shell says

      July 15, 2014 at 6:56 pm

      Oooh, me, too! If the dressing is gone, there is no point in eating the rest of the salad! 

  35. Alison says

    July 15, 2014 at 2:30 am

    It sounds to me like you’re having a WONDERFUL summer!

    • Shell says

      July 15, 2014 at 6:57 pm

      We really are. It’s nice to relax a bit. 

  36. Pam says

    July 15, 2014 at 3:07 am

    It is ok as you age to just not care so much about things that are really not just that important. It is ok to go to Target without makeup. It is ok to not put an elaborate meal on the table every night. I could go on and on. 😉

    • Shell says

      July 15, 2014 at 6:57 pm

      Absolutely! Some things just aren’t worth stressing over. 

  37. Debbie Denny says

    July 15, 2014 at 6:34 am

    Love the post. Sometimes it is fun to throw the norm out the window.

  38. Rosey says

    July 15, 2014 at 6:54 am

    I wear flip flops with my dresses too. Summer’s the only time we can do that, so I say it’s perfectly appropriate. 🙂

    • Shell says

      July 15, 2014 at 6:58 pm

      I wear them almost year round. So I get confused when people say they aren’t appropriate! 

  39. April @ Everyday Fitness and Nutrition says

    July 15, 2014 at 7:19 am

    I’m taking more of the “it’s okay” approach for life in general.  It’s okay if my house isn’t as clean as I’d like it or the laundry’s not done or it’s Saturday and I’m going to take a nap.  Life’s too short to stress about things that don’t really matter.

    • Shell says

      July 15, 2014 at 6:58 pm

      Yes! It’s relaxing to let some things go. 

  40. kathy says

    July 15, 2014 at 10:38 am

    Love this post!  I think its okay if my kids watch Mickey Mouse while I take a shower.  Its better than me stinking it up all day! 

    • Shell says

      July 15, 2014 at 6:58 pm

      Absolutely. A mom’s gotta get her shower somehow! 

  41. Cassie @ Southeast by Midwest says

    July 15, 2014 at 10:38 am

    I sometimes will wear shorts even if I haven’t shaved in a day or so. Ain’t going to kill nobody!

    • Shell says

      July 15, 2014 at 6:59 pm

      Exactly! If several days have gone by, I’ll feel bad, but not just a few. 

  42. Chrysa says

    July 15, 2014 at 11:12 am

    Oh my goodness I can relate to your entire Hey It’s OK list! Sometimes It’s OK to eat out a bit more in the summer, too. That way we do not heat up the house! Thanks for sharing 🙂 

    • Shell says

      July 15, 2014 at 6:59 pm

      Yes! Sometimes it’s just too hot! 

  43. Carly Anderson says

    July 15, 2014 at 12:14 pm

    I definitely like this edition of “Hey, It’s Okay!”  I know a lot of friends and family members who could stand to read this because they’re stressing out!

  44. Danielle @ We Have It All says

    July 15, 2014 at 3:27 pm

    OMGosh I LOVE this post! LOVE the “hey, it’s okay” haha. And love their get-up too – it’s worth the free food for sure!

  45. Kiwi says

    July 15, 2014 at 3:48 pm

    I need to do this “Its Ok” series…doesnt Marie Claire or Allure Mag do this series too? I love it and I have to recreate my own…

    Here is Mine – “Its ok if you have over 15+ plastic containers that you’ve saved from Talenti within the last 2 months because you are obsessed with their ice cream. It’s Summer and hey more Tupperware you dont have to buy!”

    • Shell says

      July 15, 2014 at 7:00 pm

      Glamour does it. Another blogger has done her spin off of it as a link up for the last few years and I join in from time to time- it’s fun! 

      I haven’t tried Talenti yet. Sounds like I need to! 

  46. julie gardner says

    July 15, 2014 at 5:36 pm

    It’s okay, on a hot summer day, to not worry about counting “screen time” and pull all the shades shut and watch a movie (or two) with your kids.

    Not EVERY day has to be reading books and getting exercise. Right? 🙂

    PS: anyone who says flip flops are not appropriate footwear for dresses is just plain CRAZY.

    • Shell says

      July 15, 2014 at 7:01 pm

      YES! There are days when I have absolutely no idea how much screen time my kids have had and I don’t care. 

      I’m wearing my flip flops this week, with my dresses, to an event. And if anyone is really paying that much attention to my feet, they need to find something else to do.

  47. Michelle Christopher says

    July 15, 2014 at 5:58 pm

    I love this post. I think I am guilty of just about every single one of the things on your list. And I totally think that pools and beaches count as bath time.

    • Shell says

      July 20, 2014 at 8:10 pm

      It’s water, right? It should count! 

  48. cam | bibs and baubles says

    July 16, 2014 at 1:37 am

    Let’s not talk about shaving legs… I am so behind! 

    I need to know when Ice Cream and Milkshake days are.  I have no problem with a belated celebration if I’ve missed it. 

    • Shell says

      July 20, 2014 at 8:11 pm

      I wore maxi skirts this week to hide my legs.

      Ice Cream month is July, with the day today. And I thought milkshake day was last week, but I was wrong(we celebrated anyway) but it’s really in September. 

  49. becka says

    July 16, 2014 at 10:57 am

    Yes summer is so much less stressful. 🙂 I too am a flip flop girl so don’t no one be telling me they are inappropriate. I WILL be wearing them

    • Shell says

      July 20, 2014 at 8:11 pm

      I live in them. And really, they do look good with summer dresses! 

  50. Natalie says

    July 17, 2014 at 1:14 pm

    Everything is OK with summer! Summer rules! 🙂

    • Shell says

      July 20, 2014 at 8:12 pm

      I’m nowhere near ready for it to be so far along in summer. I want it to stay summer. 

  51. Migdalia - @MsLatina says

    July 29, 2014 at 8:41 pm

    Love this list! And, the first one that went out the window – summer schedules. I know I’ll pay for it before school but for now, we’re happy 🙂

Welcome to Things I Can't Say: Tips and Tales from an Introverted Mom. I'm Shell. Boy mom, beach girl, bookworm, ball games, baker, brand ambassador, Thinking yoga, food, and travel should start with "b," too. Finding the easiest way to do some things while overthinking so many others. Read More…

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