Making the Most Out of Summer with the Family

Summer is here! Kids are getting out of school, work is slowing down just a bit (even if it’s just because colleagues are trading out time for vacations), and days grow longer with the desire to stay outside longer. And, making the most out of summer with the family is on my mind.

When I think back to my childhood, some of my fondest memories are during the summer months. As my own babes are growing up, I realize that time is moving fast and I want my babies to have a whole treasure trove of memories to think back on. Soon enough, sports, friends, and all kinds of things will begin feeling up our calendars, and so it makes me take it all the more serious to spend quality time with my family.

Summer Fun Planning

If your kids are in school, filling up the day so you can avoid “I’m bored!!” will be top priority! I think the easiest way to help keep sanity is to plan ahead and explain. Plan things you can count on weekly : library reading time, standing play-dates, pool time, ice cream day, etc.

Having activities to look forward to will keep everyone more positive and excited for each day. Also, some of those things will be kept for summer time only, which will only make the season even more fun. Think about how warm and exciting Christmas time is just in anticipation of family traditions during that time.

On a larger scale, you can include the kids in on making a Summer Bucket List > this will give them the chance to think of fun things to do and give you more insight as to what makes them excited. Make sure to include things like vacation bible school, community events (concerts in the park or field day, etc. ) , and family vacations.

Making the Most of the Time

In the time that we live, technology has a large role in our everyday life. But I’m going to challenge you to have tech free time. Carve out a time in the day that you put it all away and don’t have it out. Trust me, I know this is hard. It’s hard for me, but my days are so much more joyful when I do it because I’m able to be extremely present. What a gift that is when your kids are involved.

There isn’t much time we have in the totality of our babies’ lives to influence them and spend quality time with them in a meaningful way. So, put the screens DOWN!

Dinner time is also so much more fun in the summer ( I think) because the hustle and bustle of having to get to school early in the morning is removed. Dinner can take a little longer and time talking, laughing, and spending time together is amplified >>> who doesn’t enjoy that?! There are great ways to keep dinner going, even games like conversation starters to keep the banter from ending.

Get Outside

This seems like a big fat DUH! But, it is true that we’ve become more and more sedentary, so making it a priority to get outside is key. If you live in the south, like me, you may need to plan your day around the not so blistering hot times, but regardless having time outside is FUN!

Simply putting a sprinkler in the yard is enough fun to cool off and run around. With the nicer weather, taking walks in the evening could become a daily occurrence. I’ve never heard my kids complaining about going outside, it’s usually coming inside that’s a problem.

Go to parks on a regular basis, you can meet new friends and spend time exploring, one fun element to summer could be visiting all the parks in your area. It would be interesting to go to new places, and offer some excitement for being somewhere new.

Final Thoughts

Making summer memorable doesn’t have to be over the top, or exhausting >> in fact do your best to make it the opposite. Use the slowness of the season to your advantage and take the chance to grow close as a family, and create memories that last, even in the seemingly mundane moments.

Establishing a time that is rich in interactions, and focused on each other is one of the best ways to be intentional about raising your family and leaving a legacy for your kids.

I hope this summer brings you lots of laughs, moments to cherish, and adventures to experience together!

What are some of you favorite bucket list items for summer? Share in the comments and we can all help each other make the most out of summer with our family. Let’s create an unforgettable one, and let it serve as a foundation for more to come.