Summer can be a crazy season, filled with too much to do and not enough time to do it. And when you’re feeling overwhelmed with the summer to do list, it can be hard creating positive memories with your kids.
If you can relate, then our friends over at iMOM have a few special memories that you can focus on creating for your kids this summer so they don’t have the typical, “We didn’t do anything this summer” response.
1. Memories of a joyful mom
At some point, the sight of our kids chilling out in their pajamas until 2 p.m. every afternoon will drive us crazy. Sure, a few days of intense summer relaxation are fine. But to avoid “angry mom summer memories” and create joyful mom memories instead, tell your kids that after their initial decompression, you expect them to be productive at least part of the day. (You can start with these four life skills you can teach your kids over the summer.)
Spell out your expectations so you don’t blow up when you’ve reached your limit.
And if you think that planning out schedules is just as stressful as getting the kids going, then be sure to check out The Schedule that Saved Our Summer so that way you can continue to keep your cool.
2. Memories of the great outdoors
Summer weather can be extremely hot where I live. Unless you’re swimming or have the air conditioner cranked up, it’s pretty uncomfortable. The temptation is for kids to stay inside glued to a screen.
Even if it’s not 100 degrees in the shade where you live, get out of your house as often as you can.
Take short day trips. Plan an inexpensive road trip by staying with family or friends. Closer to home, take in a movie, visit (free) museums, or get outside—in the shade. If the weather is pleasant where you live, tell your kids, “When the sun is out, we are too.”
3. Memories of thinking of others
Sometimes, the quest for fun summer memories can get off track if we make it our goal to fill our children’s summers with nothing but fabulous trips, amusement parks, and time at the mall with friends. Sure, they’ll have good memories, but they could have so much more.
The summer is a perfect time for our children to volunteer.
Your little kids can go with you when you read at summer schools for underprivileged children. Older kids can take part in local mission trips around your city or work at a part-time job to have money to donate. All kids can help out neighbors or grandparents.
4. Memories of discovery
My husband has told me that his childhood summers were one long stretch of boredom. In those pre-Internet days, he and his brother watched a lot of the Spiderman cartoon, argued through games of Parcheesi, and accidentally caught the pasture behind their house on fire. (I guess it wasn’t boring when the fire department showed up.)
We don’t have to entertain our children every summer second, but if kids have options for discovery—reading a great book, learning a craft or how to build something, playing a summer sport—they will make some pretty good memories.
And by all means, if your kids are old enough, get them to help out around the house or get a job. Make summer memories you’ll want your children to remember.
Be sure to share your memories with us by tagging us on socials @air1radio!
About iMOM
iMOM exists for you - to inspire you to love your family well. We want to give you help and hope so that you can enjoy the days to come...being a mom!
