Photo by Myles Tan on Unsplash
EMBRACING FAMILY
Ah, finally! Summer is here! Vacation! Sleeping in, going to the beach, hiking, biking, swimming, playing, and maybe even some traveling, too. It sounds perfect, simply perfect … until it’s not!
Reality hits: summer break is not actually much of a break for us parents! There is the incessant planning of activities for the kids, especially because many of us are working, whether in the workplace or remotely. We have been duped again by the annual summer illusion because we find ourselves busier during the summer break than we were during the school year.
The kids are not at school for eight hours a day, five days a week, which places much more coordination efforts on us, in addition to what seems like unending expenses each week. Childcare and activities for the kids are incredibly expensive. We often find ourselves needing to work more so that we can pay for all that the kids are doing. It becomes a vicious cycle.
Stop for a moment. Take a deep breath. Why are we stressing out scheduling so many expensive activities during our non-working hours? Remember when, at Christmastime, little children had more fun with a box and wrapping paper than they did with the actual presents? Summer does not need to leave us exhausted and bankrupt. Instead of going to the water park and a trampoline gym, we can have our kids invite friends over, break out a sprinkler and have a water balloon fight. Fun need not be synonymous with expensive.
For the times we do not need to be in the workplace, we can help the kids prepare a basic schedule which includes things that we consider important: preparing breakfast, doing chores, and reading, writing, practicing math or other enriching activities. The kids could have a couple of hours of unstructured playtime. Time could be set aside for arts and crafts or STEM activities. The kids could create their own cool reading nook and prayer table in their room. Depending on our own commitments, we could have a family outing that does not cost a penny: at the park, the public library, the beach. We could set aside time every week to volunteer together (even if it is something as simple as beach/park cleanup when we go to have fun). Rather than feel the need to keep the kids busy 24/7, why not allow creativity to be the friend they invite over for a play date?
Summertime can also be a great time to teach children life skills! This can be incredibly fun, while being beneficial for both kids and parents. The children learn skills which, in turn, make things easier on the parent. It’s a win-win! Teach children basic skills, like self-defense, first aid, time-management, decision-making, money management and budgeting, grocery shopping, simple cooking, volunteering, caring for others in need (elderly, houseless), caring for the environment, interacting with others (calling relatives, leaving voicemails, visiting in person), doing household chores, practicing etiquette (including ordering meals at a restaurant), using a map/GPS, laundry, planning for travel, and learning resilience and adaptability.
How awesome it would be to finally realize that we are not being duped by the annual summer illusion, because it is not an illusion at all! Instead, with some strategic planning we can reframe what summer break is all about. Let’s enjoy summer from a new perspective, with inexpensive fun during our non-working hours, time with family and friends, and celebrating the acquisition of many new life skills.
Feedback
Here is feedback from a Hawaii Catholic Herald reader in response to the Q&A from “Mother, may I? An old game with a new twist”:
“I’m not sure why I always feel like I need to solve all the problems that cross my path. I felt such a sense of relief when I read the article and realized that I can turn to Mary, my Mother, and ask her for guidance. I bought a statue of Mary so that I could look at her each day, share my joys and struggles, and ask her to help me. I feel like my heart has become more tender and compassionate already.”
Questions? Please email Sarah and David at Success@EmbraceFamilyLearning.com. We would be honored to lift you up in prayer and respond, as well!
