As summer nears, a strange physiological miracle recently occurred and my brain flashed back to my college philosophy courses. Words such as phenomenology and Hegelian dialectic came to mind, not that I know what they mean anymore. Existentialism lingered for a moment as I vaguely remembered an idea that the individual is responsible for creating her own experience and meaning in life.

“Yes, I agree,” I tell my brain, “I understand I am responsible. That is why I have booked summer camps for the kids.

“But there are a few holes in the schedule” the calendar section of my brain pipes in, “This could bring about some ‘nothingness’ which could cause ‘dread’ and ‘anxiety.”

I nod in agreement, “Definitely with my youngest child who doesn’t respond well to a lack of schedule and activities.”  I search the calendar once again and in fact there is a hole in the July with no activities what so ever.

“But isn’t it good for children to have some ‘nothingness’ in their lives?” I ask my brain.

“Maybe some boredom is good for them, but is it good for you?” my logic center responds,  “Is it good for your existence?” My brain released a few repressed memories of last summer’s activity-less days and I understood immediately.

“Oh yes, the incessant whining and temper tantrums brought on by a day without plans and air-conditioning. I see your point.” Obviously, my consciousness needed to wake up and take a bit more action in regards to my summer plans.  

I decided to consult some experts in the Motherhood business (a.k.a. my friends) and find out their approach to summertime fun. My first batch of responses consisted of the following hot tips:  booze, Benadryl and grandma’s house. Of course, they were kidding (sort of!) and came back with wonderful ideas for keeping the agony out of the ecstasy of summer.

• Have a “Rules out the window” day where you only say yes. (Supposedly everyone is a lot happier, I just can’t imagine how much sugar my kids would eat.)
• Let the kids plan the menu for dinner. Do the shopping together and if they are old enough, let them prepare the meal. (And who does clean-up?)
• Keep a boredom box outside filled with hula-hoops, balloons, jump ropes and other toys. (And a few chick flicks for Mom)
• My personal favorite: Car Wash. Give the kids a big bucket filled with soap and let them go crazy on a hot summer day. Set them loose with wipes to clean the inside. (Happy mini-van, happy Mom)
• Plan a pajama play date where everyone comes over at dusk and plays flashlight tag. (A perfect time for moms to eat chocolate and drink wine!)

And some fun Laguna Beach destinations that can fill a day:

• Grab an ice cream downtown and head down Laguna Canyon Road to the Friends of the Sea Lion Mammal Center and Laguna Koi Ponds.
• Take the trolley to the Sawdust Festival. (Or just take the trolley and ride around watching the tourists trying to find parking!)
• Hit Scandia bakery for a coffee and donut and visit the tide pools at Main Beach.
• Give each child one dollar and visit the 99-cent store. Tell them “They can buy whatever they want.” Watch their eyes widen with excitement.
• Build a sandcastle at the beach with old Bundt pans and Barbie dolls. (A great way to get rid of those tired old toys!)

My brain and I felt a lot better after collating this list of summer how-tos and to-dos. Hopefully my existential anxiety, or whatever it is that causes the mommy freak-out, will be kept to a minimum this summer. My girlfriend Amy told me the most important thing to remember during the summer daze:  Super Mom is dead.

I think the old boys of deep thought, Camus and Sartre, would definitely agree that this is the key to any happy existence.