Recently at Power of Families we had a mom who works outside the home write in asking for suggestions on how to create a fun summer experience for her children. She was concerned that because of her work schedule she wouldn’t have the necessary time to devote to this endeavor. Our Power of Families community is made up of all different types of families, and we believe that regardless of circumstances we can create great lasting memories during the summer months.
Too often we allow guilt to creep into our thinking. We mistakenly believe that if we can’t “do it all” that our families will suffer and our efforts will be lacking. This isn’t the case. With just a little bit of thought and planning each family can truly enjoy a fun summer vacation.
First, understand that summer is meant to give our kids (and us) a break from school and busy schedules. Downtime is necessary for the whole family to rest and recharge for the next year ahead. When we pack every hour of every day with activities and experiences, we will miss out on some much needed relaxation for our bodies and minds.
Second, realize that summer plans or schedules don’t need to be grand or complicated. In her post, The Anti Summer Bucket List Campaign Allison Carter expressed similar sentiments:
“I want a bucket list with just one single item: ENJOY. Then I want to check that one item off every day. And I want to do it without having to plan, organize, drive an hour, purchase a Groupon, map out the week, slather sunscreen every ten minutes, and peel the backs of my legs off my fiery-hot leathery car seat four times a day.”
As parents we too often feel guilty that we can’t do everything. By shifting our thinking and adding some simple planning we can have a great summer vacation.
For more ideas and suggestions visit: The Best Power of Families Summer Posts
Question: What ideas do you have to make summer great with your specific family situation? Share your stories and ideas in the comments below!
Photo by Andrew Seaman on Unsplash
I work and my son (7-year-old only child) goes to camp for seven weeks of the summer. We have one week where we are all off and have done various things – weeklong vacation, weeklong staycation, vacation for a few days and staycation the rest of the week. By the beginning of August when work quiets down a little, I wish I could be off the whole month with my son, however I do try to make the best of the summer!
My son is in camp until 4pm every day. Unlike the school year, where there is homework and sports and early darkness, that leaves us about four daylight hours in the evening together. That is a good chunk of time!
Here are some of the things we do:
-Walk around town, going to the park and the library and into the shops.
-Cheap dinners out in town and sometimes reverse dessert (ice cream out, followed by an easy dinner at home like mac n cheese for him and salad for the grown ups)
-Going to the town beach – even neither of us feels like putting on a bathing suit since he has been in and out of the pool all day at camp and the last thing I feel like doing after work is throwing on a suit, we can sit by the water and chill for a bit
-Come home and do arts and crafts or reading outside while eating a picnic dinner
-Have a friend over or meet at the park for outdoor games
While I do not have long days of free time with my son, I do appreciate this different pace in the summer so much! Look forward to hearing from other moms who need to work in the summer – or moms who send older kids to camp while they are home with younger kids – with their thoughts!
I love these suggestions! You are exactly right–four hours of time in the evening is a big chunk and I love how you are making the most of it. I especially love that these are simple, doable things that make memories. Sometimes as moms I think we worry that things have to be big and grand but I bet he’ll remember “reverse dinner” for all his life! I think that’s something we will have to start in our home. Our teens would love it!