In the summer, it's nice to have a break from dealing with homework, test grades, going through school paperwork etc. This summer, my DD12.5 has been at her extra curricular sport every day, most of the day. She has loved it! My SS11.5 has been mostly at BM's. During school, SS11.5 lives primarily with us and sees BM every other weekend. The summers, we reverse roles and he sees us every other weekend and lives with BM, his stepdad and his three stepsiblings. It makes for a nice break for both DH and myself. School starts in just over a week and SS11.5 has been back at our house since the beginning of August due to him starting a new extra curricular sport over here (BM lives a good hour away). I can hardly wait for school to start because since SS11.5 has been back, he's pretty much home during the day since practice isn't until evening ending my perfectly peaceful solitude while I work from home. It's back to the questions, "can i have this? can i do that? can i go to friend's house?". Back to the dishes left in the living room, the TV left on, drawers and cabinets left ajar, lights being left on, reminders to fix himself a snack, reminders to brush his teeth and comb his hair before leaving the house etc.. He just doesn't pick up after himself at all and can't seem to remember things like personal hygiene and it drives me nuts especially since I have had a nice break from all of this work when he was at his BM's. Add to the mix, I'm 8 months pregnant so my tolerance isn't particularly high to begin with plus I'm anxious/excited about the baby and all the changes that will happen. I know things will get really busy once school starts as both kids have their sports and practices several nights a week, homework to be done etc. but SS is going to middle school so that means, no more babysitting him in the afternoons! If he could just grow up a bit and be more self sufficient (remembering to brush his teeth, feed his pets, pick up after himself), it wouldn't be so bad having him home but I'm not holding my breath on that one, just counting down until school starts.