Survive... No, Let’s Thrive This Summer – Part 2

I want to recommend that you give your child a daily dose of the “N” vitamin. John Rosemond says the word no is a daily dose of the N vitamin. I like that, but I want to offer another idea for the N vitamin – nature. Are you planning outside play for your children this summer? Granted, summers are hot, but mornings after breakfast are good times as are evenings after dinner. 15 minutes a day gives us our daily dose of vitamin D!As you watch your child and provide supervision (remember, you do not need to entertain), here is your assignment. Don your straw hat, sunglasses, and carry a tall glass of iced tea, lawn chair in hand as children follow behind you as you head to the yard or driveway for playtime. Let’s unpack this.How do you get out the door so fast?  You have situated the playthings (small table/chairs, play dough and cutters, water toys, art supplies) on the grass or driveway prior to breakfast, and you are ready! You will need to train your children to solo play. Rotate ‘stations’ of opportunities for playtime engagement. Be persistent; this will take time and perseverance. In the beginning stay engaged without entertaining them. Make suggestions and ask questions. Sit close-by. After a week or two of this, something magical will happen! They will not need your soft engagement because you have provided the slow release of solo play with the fun things you have provided them, including water activities. (Naturally, this will vary depending on your children’s ages). Talk to them about this slow release so they know what you expect of them – independent play. Change it up a bit and rotate children through stations you have set up; keep it simple. Take the painting easel outside. Why not? If your child is reading, how about setting up a station where the audience is a collection of stuffed animals? Remember to use your RDS teacher’s voice tone and speak with intentionality and expectancy. Children understand the difference and will respond accordingly. This will take time and training, but the rewards will be worth it!Once the routines and expectations of outside play have been established, you can sit a distance away and observe. While doing so, please, please, please resist the urge to scroll through your cell phone. In fact, I recommend putting it away.  You are modeling for your children. They will remember what they see you do when they become users of technology. Tell your friends that you will be checking your texts once or twice a day thus last-minute planning is off the table. Make any necessary arrangements with your hubby, but please do not allow the phone to be a home invader, an attention grabber, a joy robber, and a mind divider. Detach from social media; connect with your kids; try eliminating hurry!What do you do as you watch?  I want to give you permission to do nothing – it’s your N vitamin!! Or, you can read God’s Word, journal, or pray for your children, one by one as they play. This is your rest time. Just allow your heart to “Be still and know that He is God.”  You might need to feign reading so your children think you are occupied and are less likely to ‘need’ your attention – at least until they are fully trained in the expectation you set for them. Allow the laughter of your children to be a salve for your soul. Yes, they might fuss. Give them space to work it out.Do you hear a squirrel scampering, a bird singing sweetly? Does your heart rejoice in the God of all creation? Slow down and savor the moment. Give yourself permission to take vitamin N. If you work away from home or if you work from home, these are great Saturday ideas. In fact, set up the stations and invite your hubby to engage and keep the children safe while you have coffee solo or with a friend. After setting up the stations, stock up on a fresh stack of towels and child-sized plastic Adirondack chairs from Big Lots so he is prepared to be successful.Take advantage of your child being in school and begin your planning now!  How about swapping childcare with a friend for 2-3 hours during these outside playtimes? How about two kiddie pools - one pool to be turned into a sandbox and the other for its intended use? Eating popsicles in the pool is a great way to contain the mess!In the heat of the day, visit your local library for story time and book check-outs. Above all, know that these moments are fleeting! If you need to be reminded of how fleeting, I suggest reading 936 Pennies, Discovering the Joy of Intentional Parenting. It’s a delightful, easy read! I believe you will connect with the author; she lives in your world and shares her struggles.On a totally different note: If I could give you one piece of advice it would be this. Guard your nightly sleep time as much as possible this summer. Sun and heat make us feel more tired. Your emotional and spiritual outlook depends on your physical stamina and your stamina depends on healthy foods and sleep. I love carbs but they make me sluggish. Fresh fruit is a better choice than sweets. I know babies and toddlers wake up at night and sleep gets interrupted. It takes diligence and determination on your part to guard your sleep. Take care of yourself (it takes forethought, planning, hubby’s cooperation, and an early turn-in rather than scrolling social media); but in the end, it will be a gift you give yourself and your entire family. Happy summer, sweet RDS mamas!