Summa-summa-summa time!

Been thinking a lot about summer lately.  Only 4 more weeks, yay!!!  I enjoyed a conversation with a dear friend today and she shared this article with me. What an encouragement that even just a little planning will help foster an enjoyable summer for all. As ideas pop into my brain, I try to jot them down in my master list notebook so I won't forget.

In our culture,  it is a temptation to over-program our children, sometimes without even realizing it.  I think that the fear of boredom and that somehow our kids might "miss out" on some special activity, camp or experience can be overwhelming. I have felt the pressure even more now that I have two school-aged children. Our parents small group at church is working through this material on maintaining margin. It is SO challenging and encouraging. I highly recommend it if you find yourself struggling in this area.

In summers past, it's been pretty low key around here. (Except last summer when we were in the middle of a move and re-model.) The idea of enjoying a relaxed, steady-paced summer day is so appealing to me. In the busyness of life, I think we all crave some down-time. Even if it takes a couple of weeks of redirecting the occasional "I'm bored!" surely the rest and relationships built will be worth it.   I can tell the kids are ready for some down time, too.  Today Graham said "mom, let's not go anywhere today.  I just want to stay home in my pajamas!"  You got it sugar. 

We have a few activities planned to break up the routine like a short roadtrip, Vacation Bible School, and swim lessons...but other than that we're going to make space for freedom.  Freedom to play, freedom to think, freedom to create, freedom to rest and be.

I fully expect the first week of debriefing from the rush-rush-rush, to be a little tricky. To encourage the kids, I plan to have a list of "what-to-do-when-you-don't-know-what-to-do's" posted on the fridge with ideas for self-directed, imaginative play.  Things like: blow bubbles on the porch, playdough, re-read an old favorite, play catch with Charly, listen to a book on cd . I'll probably schedule in a little mommy-directed activity once or twice too.  For example, when we are cooking together or reading books together. 

Speaking of simpler days, I have to link up to this post.  And these thoughts are also very encouraging as we strive to simplify all of our days and create healthy margin for our families.

What are you looking forward to this summer?

Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.

Proverbs 19:21