I know what many of you are thinking…
How did it get to be May? How is summer just around the corner?
I listened to a recent Focus on the Family broadcast about “Managing Your Family’s Summer Schedule.” Dr. Greg and Erin Smalley discussed how to plan a great summer vacation and skip the pitfalls of unmet expectations and last minute planning.
It was a helpful way for me to start thinking of our summer break which begins in June. I liked this piece of advice from the Smalleys:
Ask your children…What would make summer vacation memorable / fun for you? What would you like to do?
So, I took turns asking each of my children this question. I was really pleased at how do-able their answers were.
Ice cream date.
Overnight at grandma and grandpa’s.
Movie night.
Reading night. (I know, a parent’s dream!)
Water balloon play date.
Lego store.
Going to a pool.
Mexican restaurant to practice their Spanish. (That sounds like more fun than doing a workbook from home right?)
I wrote down their answers on my computer. I can either make a little bucket list with the activities on slips of paper or clothespins. I can check them off a grand chart as we do them.
The main thing is anticipation. Look, we have all these things to look forward to doing together!
It doesn’t have to take a lot of money. Activities can be done after work on weekdays.
What’s on your list this summer?
Why not ask your children and get some excitement going! Summer is coming!
