Summertime With Your Kids
Summer is here, parents! There is nothing quite like the long summer days, that are typically full of adventures, sunscreen and play. Currently, most parents are working the schedule like a boss, trying to fill the days with camps, childcare or activities. Regardless of your summer plans, enjoy little ways of being intentional with your children this summer. Like confetti, intentionality can be easily sprinkled into your schedule here and there. It is often appreciated by children when it is thrown in spontaneously. Rest assured, it doesn’t take a ton of planning or exhaustion to be intentional. Intentional parenting simply asks us to show up emotionally and physically for our children. Here are some small ways you can ramp up your intentionality while still keeping your to do list small this summer.
Shared Journaling: Buy a journal with a password or a lock on it. Explain how the journal is for the two of you to jot down special memories or to discuss difficult topics together. It’s the perfect place to affirm them by jotting down something helpful or kind they did the day before.
Shared Activity: Some families do puzzles together, while other families take walks together. It doesn’t matter what activity you choose! Simply show up, be present and enjoy.
Shared Screen Limits: Rather than solely worrying about their electronics, set down your own phone, tablet or computer. Whether our kids speak it out loud or not, they find themselves competing for our attention often. What would happen if we set down your own devices for a night? Not only would it help us set boundaries, but we would be available to them if and when they need someone to help them process.
Shared Exploring: Be curious together, take some time to figure out what new subject or activity your child is into. Then plan some time exploring that subject together. You can start small with Googling facts about it. Or try visiting the library to check out all the books on that subject. If you’re feeling spontaneous, plan a day trip, such as visiting the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Alabama. All in all, it’s fun when their thing becomes y’all’s thing.
Shared Gaming: Plan a low-key game night at home. Game nights are the perfect way to build common interests and start conversations. Grab your favorite games, popcorn and sweet treats and gather in your common area at home. I just learned about the game “Spot It’ and I’ve already added it to my Amazon cart. You can’t go wrong with this one.
In each of these shared activities create space to truly listen to your children and validate their feelings. Validating feelings simply means acknowledging and accepting where they are at. While the schedule is not so busy, allow yourself room to sit with them in their feelings. If they are feeling specific emotions, ask them to draw it to help them communicate. Simply sitting with them in that feeling will speak volumes to their heart.
Written by: Cali Bolinger
