School wrapped up in June, and as I turned the calendar to July, I exhaled and prepared to embrace all the fun of summer.
Camp, a visit to the mountains, family in town, s’mores in the backyard, one of my kid’s birthday celebrations, swim lessons, movie nights, and a hopefully annual Oreo taste test event with friends that we’ve been excited to kick off.
I popped into Target last week to grab said Oreos and much to my chagrin, the banners, front aisles, and Dollar Spot were all enveloped in a blatant and bold back-to-school agenda. BACK TO SCHOOL!
Oh, Target, don’t you know? Summer has just begun
I squinted my eyes and made a beeline for the grocery aisles. I mean, how could they? I haven’t even done the backpack deep clean from LAST school year, let alone started thinking about supplies I need for next year.
This constant rushing forward gives me a swell of anxiety. The end of school was supposed to be a reprieve. Or at least at a different, slower pace. I definitely don’t need to be catapulted into what’s coming next. At least not so soon.
I want to fully appreciate pool days
I want to make sweet tea and summer salads with my girlfriends. I want to let my kids stay up too late and wake when the sunshine tickles their summertime freckles. I want summer. Just summer.
I don’t want to be compelled or reminded or borderline forced to begin preparing for what’s coming next. Because, if you put out the school supplies, you know those Type A mamas are going to start buying them. And then, if I don’t join in, my kindergartner might be left without the green pencil box he’s been set on since his big brother went to school.
So dearest Target, please stop with the back-to-school stuff already
It’s not like you need to find more ways for me to spend money. You know that when the time comes, I’ll be there, loading up on crayons and calculators, teacher gifts, and all the Lisa Frank paraphernalia reminiscent of my own childhood. But for now, for July, can we focus on beachwear and popsicles?
Let’s give summer her full season. She deserves it. She’s gorgeous and simple and has gobs of marketable products.
And then, when we’re on the actual brink of back to school, launch those products. You know I’ll be there with my Target card in hand.
