Survive... No, Let’s Thrive This Summer – Part 1

If you are looking forward to a more relaxed routine this summer while also wondering about filling the minutes and hours of each day, I would say you are not alone. The ages of your children will have an influence on your daily routine; nonetheless, all homes of preschool and elementary-aged children will contain some similarities. Here are four areas that you might consider as you thrive this summer:

1. Home routine – consistency is key (snack-time, lunch time, kitchen rules, order of the day)
2. Play time – together with siblings or friends and ALONE play time
3. Devotional time, life application, memory verses, and chore time
4. Rest / nap time alone in child’s room

Routine – Before your children are dismissed for the summer (May 13), begin to think and plan now. Children do well with routine. Daily routines and rhythms provide consistency and structure for children; they love the dependability it provides for their little lives. Talk to your children about how your summer days will look.  Do you visit the library on certain days? If you have a summer vacation planned, make a “count-down” construction paper chain marking time to the day you leave home. Locate your destination on a map or globe, check out books from the library. Make predictions about what you might do and see once you are at your location.  Talk about what types of clothes to pack. Pull your child into the planning as much as is age appropriate.  An older child can write a list of items to take.  This activity engages the brain and develops the executive functioning skill!Play time – I am a big proponent of children learning to play by themselves and learning to wander through books alone. Train your children to ENJOY doing this. Even sitting at a child-sized table or desk with craft items galore is a good use of alone time. Do NOT feel like you must entertain your child every minute of every day. You will rob your child of important skills – learning to self-occupy and to be responsible for him or herself is a skill to be developed. Creative play is usually birthed from boredom – oh, that word! Contrary to popular belief, boredom is not a bad word. Boredom is the channel through which creativity can flow, and so is unstructured TIME!  However, you must train your child in this skill!Devotional time and chore time – make sure there is Bible reading, memory work and the responsibility for chores woven into each day or week. Before leaving the bedroom, is the bed made and room tidied neatly?  Having green beans for dinner is an excellent choice because little fingers can learn to snip. Husking the corn is another great chore for older children!  And so on…contributing to the family work instills a sense of responsibility and contribution in children. Prepare those chore charts now.Rest/naptime – I believe requiring children to rest or nap or look at books quietly in the afternoon is a must. Mamas need this and so do children. Remember who is in charge here! Creating space between you and your children will help you enjoy each other’s company all the more once this afternoon siesta time is over! Set a kitchen timer and leave it in the hallway is just one idea for marking time.SUMMER – an opportunity to make memories as you spend time together in an unhurried fashion!