Every summer, kids squeal with delight as they hear the school bell ring for the last time. They know that school is out for at least a couple of weeks or months. You may have big plans to go swimming, enjoy time outdoors, and spend time doing lots of outdoor activities. However, before you know it, the school bell rings once again, and the kids are back in school. You may think to yourself, “What happened to summer?” All the grand plans to do all the things you wanted to do don't always come to fruition, leaving you grieving the loss of yet another summer.
As my kids get older, I realize I only have a few more summers with them. They have entered college, and both have found significant others. They're now beginning to plan their lives, living outside the home and starting new lives with others. This made me grieve all the summers we had together. But with a little creativity, planning, and ingenuity, you can make the most of the summers you have, do many fun activities, and still have time to relax and slow down, even for a little while.
Here's how I learned to make the most of summer break:
Make Reading a Must
Summertime is the natural time for kids’ minds to go on autopilot, giving in to many hours of mind-numbing television. But summertime is the natural time for both kids and adults to read books, where they learn about new topics or get whisked away in an adventure in a novel. It may seem as if reading might be too simple a task because of the fleeting days of summer. However, reading doesn't have to be put on the back burner simply because it's summer break. Have your children choose half an hour to an hour per day to read.
You can do it in the morning before heading off to various activities, or you can do it at night before they go to bed. They tend to forget what they have learned in the previous school year, which puts them at a disadvantage for the next academic year. Help them develop a love of reading by setting a good example. Whether it's the Bible in the morning or a fun novel at night, reading can be a way to slow down and take time to enjoy a slower pace.
Establish a Routine
Children often crave a break from their regular routines throughout the school year. It may be easy to let kids sleep in, turn on the TV, and eat sugary or carb-filled foods while watching it. Not only will their waistlines suffer, but their minds will also suffer. Establish a routine that you can stick with. Write it on a whiteboard, which you can easily display for everyone to see.
Have the kids do chores while still enjoying their summer. Have them review workbooks for various school subjects before they head off to their fun activity. Although summer is a time to have fun with children, it doesn't have to be all about simply enjoying fun activities. Kids thrive in a routine. When they stick to a routine, they're much better at setting boundaries and being productive throughout the day. By maintaining routines even in the summer, you set them up for success later in life.
As adults, they'll need to establish a routine to get up every day, even during the summer, to work or attend college. Help them understand that this is an important part of being a dependable person. A child who doesn't know any routine will be more hesitant to establish one later in life. However, kids who grow up with routines understand the importance of managing their time.
Be Selective About Activities
You can easily get caught up doing all the things you want to do before fall. It can also be overwhelming to consider all the running around it may require. Select a few activities and engage in them regularly. For example, consider getting a summer pass to enjoy the pool. It may take a little work to get everything set up in the morning, but once the kids get to the pool, you can spend time lounging in a pool chair, enjoying the sun, and watching your children make memories and play freely.
You can also do this at the beach. Purchase a pass and ensure you get your money’s worth. Saved money can then be used for amusement parks and other activities. Not only will this help your budget, but it will also help you create memories, emphasizing that summer is not about how much money you spend, but about the memories you make.
Visit Family
Although summer is prime time for exploring various vacation destinations, it may also be the only time you get to spend with family besides the holidays. Nothing is guaranteed. Family won't be around forever, so make time and set a budget to ensure you create lasting memories. Choose to visit some relatives you haven't seen in a long time. Additionally, aging relatives who don't have many visitors will appreciate the time you took to visit.
This is a great time to share the history of your family while doing something you typically can't do during the school year.
Explore Your State
Many people enjoy exploring new states. However, some of the best tourist attractions might be in the state where you live. Find out the different tourist attractions your state has to offer. Create a list and select some of them to complete throughout the summer. This requires less travel and even less money while still making the most of summer.
Have your kids create a presentation about what they liked in their state and why. This will not only make a good extra-credit assignment for when they start school again, but also educate them on the state where they live. Hidden gems of adventure might only be an hour or so away. This will give you ample time to relax throughout the day, rather than dedicating a significant portion of your time to travel.
Celebrate the Milestones
There may be special events that you do not have an opportunity to fully celebrate throughout the school year. For example, children who make the soccer team, win a music award, or achieve academic growth do not always get ample opportunity to celebrate those events during the hectic school year.
However, summer is an opportunity to have a party commemorating all the things you did that year. You can choose to invite friends and family or keep it a family-centered event. Either way, make a point to celebrate more as a family. We often let people know about difficult circumstances. However, we don't always dwell on the special memories and milestones that we create throughout the year.
For some families, summer may be a wonderful opportunity to explore new areas, visit friends and family, and relax by the pool or at the beach. However, take the time to slow down, enjoy the pace, and use summer for what it is, a chance to unwind and slow down the breakneck speed of the school year.
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