Ideas for an Intentional Family Summer
The 2016-2017 school year has come to an end! Whether or not you have children, you were one, and the prospect of summer always brings memories of vacation time, get-togethers, and family/friend fun. You may have plans in order already, but check out my suggestions anyway for making the most of your time.
Last week I encouraged you to consider this summer’s opportunities a little differently by focusing on: the attitude in the home, the activities your family participates in, and the amount of time you invest. None of them are “new,” but it’s never too late for us to get our priorities in order, no matter our age. Today I’d like to share how I made the most of our summers when our daughter was young and at home with us.
I made a habit—a tradition—
of taking her to breakfast at the beginning of the vacation to enjoy some yummy food together and brainstorm our priorities. We discussed goals and I asked her what she could do/accomplish within the categories of: spiritual growth, family time, hobbies, projects/chores, friend time, and what she’d like to learn. How we handle this conversation depends on the age of the children, but they always love being a part of the decision-making process. By coming up with ideas for each category, we could make sure our time would be well spent and our days would be balanced.
Try making a “date” with your kids, even if it is at the park, to purposefully plan. It shouldn’t take too long as they will be more interested in the food and play aspect of your time together. Write their ideas down, turn it into a poster for the fridge or their room, and keep it at the forefront of any plans you make.
Part of the fun of summer vacation is not having to stick to a rigid schedule, but we found that having a “plan” for each day, even if it was to relax and play, was more valuable in the long run. Don’t forget to keep a reasonably consistent schedule for getting up, going to bed, and chore time. You will be happier as a parent if you have some adult time either before they get out of bed or after they retire for the night.
At the end of summer have a celebration and take note of all the accomplished goals and wonderful memories you enjoyed together. Share as a family the favorites, those everyone might want to repeat, and even those you might not want to try again.
There is a tremendous benefit to being intentional with our summer days, as they slip away faster than we expect.
Make sure the most important item on your list is to encourage and model spending quiet time for prayer and reading God’s Word. Purposefully schedule in these most valuable activities for every day–for yourself and for your kids.
GOD IS GOOD, ALL THE TIME!
Great advice!! Can’t say I did as well with the boys in sitting down and planning, but we sure did enjoy our summers away from the school work! So amazing how fast those years went. Parents: do treasure every moment you spend time with your children. They do return as adults to thank you for taking the time with them!
Judy,
Very true words about kids appreciating their parents more when they reach adulthood. It sure was true for me; I was able to love and respect my Momma so much more when I got older and could see her for the wonderful woman she was. I think it is that, but also in combination with how we as moms mellow as we get older and our children are grown and gone. <3
Well yes, we do mellow as we get older and I think we reach a wiser and deeper level of consciousness, if we allow the process to unfold. In this unfolding we find a clarity to what really matters…God’s love and our love for one another. Relaxing into that understanding at any age, can enhance our parenting. And I think parenting can be applied to any child or children we are in constant contact with. For me, I am watching my own conscious-grandparenting happen with my granddaughter. As Judy says, I wasn’t great at sitting down and planning daily life with my now adult children. It seemed we were just keeping up and racing through! But now, because I see such importance in everything we model and teach children about wisely spending the hours the Lord has given us in our ordinary, everyday lives, I can enhance my granddaughter’s experiences! As her chief daycare provider, we too, sit down and plan our summer activities. However, I love Becky’s ‘intentional” focus categories and will adopt some into our own tradition. (mutually discussed spiritual growth!) Becky’s categories allow for being intentional with the time spent, in daily activities, that will develop a child’s character and teach them what a balanced life is. I myself have always struggled with this idea of a balanced life, as each new season of life presents its own, new, time-energy demands. I was never ‘trained’ in how to set a balanced life up, so I have remained in constant dialog with the Lord on this one! How empowering it would be for our young children to learn the components of a balanced life early. And to feel a sense of ease that they are living a balanced life under His guidance. Then, when the seasons of their lives change they can readdress these basic components, adjust, and move forward in God’s plan for them. As for me and my granddaughter, intentional time spent this summer will be a training session for intentional time spent for life! Thanks ladies!
Sharon,
Thank you for your wise words! You are adding another perspective as a grandmother that is much appreciated. I hope I will be able to have such opportunities to help mold our grandchildren (Lord willing). It is never too late to work with our children, no matter their ages, and it is most important that we continue to be “soft” to the Lord as He changes us. Every year I learn more as I work with our students that I “wish I had known this” with our daughter.
There definitely is no such thing as perfect parenting, but I’m so grateful for God filling in all my gaps.
Bless you as you minister to your children, granddaughter, and our students!