5 Ways to Enjoy the Summer Pace With Kids

Forget the details, pack the smile

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Photo by Ethan Robertson on Unsplash

How can you tell Summer is upon us?

1. You don’t hate everyone.

   Science supports the happiness you may wake up with in the mornings. Summertime - constituted by warmer weather and sunshine - has been linked to increased serotonin, better diet, and even more sleep. A welcome change from the gray days of Winter, your mood is likely up.

2. Bedtime has gotten later, and you’re OK with it.

   Parents often welcome the freedom that comes with relinquishing control…just a little. Maybe this means not fighting about a strict bedtime, or planning and few more late night gatherings with friends outside. Many of us sleep better, and later, during the summer months. Note: This ONLY works if your child responds well. If you have a child who cannot adjust to this flexibility, you may not want to try fitting a square peg into a round hole!

3. You’ve fallen behind on your to-do list.

   Summer Friday’s? Recent trends in more flexible Summer hours, remote work and increased vacation time are likely to stick around for the foreseeable future. This has allowed many of us, especially working parents, more freedom and escape during the Summer months - and a chance to experience some slower and more pleasant days. Carving out time you can really focus and get work done more efficiently can enable you to enjoy the flexibility without feeling you have undermined your work. 

4. The laundry and packing is never done.

   Despite the crazy chaos at the airports, family travel is up again this year, signaling that trips are a major part of our parenting experience this summer. Whether it’s across town or across the world, travel can bring experiences of awe and wonder - and lots, and lots, of laundry. Focus on the experience and try to remind yourself that short term chaos in the context of safety brings about a host of benefits and smiles. 

5. Your kids are fighting, but they are still OK.

   More time together can mean more bickering between siblings. However, on the other side of routine sibling fighting is learning ways to coexist that can last into the new school year. Finding their way through the conflict is an important part of developing sibling friendships - and summer is one great place to start.