Summertime Connection and Fun

Posted on May 20, 2010 12:00:00am, by Gerrianne Clare

Making this a reality for you Family

When you look ahead to summer, the knowledge that there will be less structure to your days can be very appealing. Imagining lazy days of sitting in the back yard or at the beach relaxing and enjoying the company of family and friends tends to dominate our thoughts. 

However, creating the opportunity for quality connections and fun this summer does not happen without some intention, action and planning along the way. 

What does your ideal summer look like?

Many families find themselves scrambling for quality childcare or activities that will keep their children stimulated and motivated over the summer.   When you are finally able to take some well earned vacation, there is often a push on to have a fun filled busy holiday which may not necessarily include the downtime that you desperately need. There are many stresses that are inherent in summer and many of them linger in the back of our minds. Some of these include:

  •         Co-workers holidays means increased workload for you.
  •           No one there to do your work while you are away on holidays leaving you with extra workload when you get home.
  •          Lack of structure and routine in children’s lives increases the need for planning and “running around”
  •          Child care changes – nanny, home day cares etc. take holidays leaving parents to scramble to find suitable alternatives
  •          Increased pressure to attend family events – reunions, weddings, etc. fun but increases need for planning, finances
  •          Teenagers at home – how to keep them focused, engaged and “productive” during the summer months
  •          Tweens at home – time between leaving at home unattended and child care. Finding suitable child care options that keep them happy
  •          More than one child at home, leaving teenagers in charge – can create challenges.
  •          Figuring it all out while keeping your sanity and peace at home.
 
Here are a few strategies to help you create a summer of increased connection and fun.

Identify the areas that stress you out, what can you do about them? 

What is one thing that will help reduce some of the stress? 

Sometimes the answers to these questions may escape you, believe in your ability to find creative solutions, brainstorm with your family, allow them to be involved in the planning and decision making.

  • When you make plans for the summer, include time for just you and your family i.e. partner/spouse, children? This intention of spending time with just them creates an increase connection and commitment to working together on making changes.
  • Notice the pressure to DO a lot this summer. Many of us get caught up in all of the things we want to accomplish, or others expectations and leave little time to just being in relationship.
  • Develop awareness of what you really want this summer? Spending time in self reflection helps you create a summer that feels right to you and your family.
  • What do you want your relationships to look like, feel like?   
 
Summer vacation is a great time to get reconnected with yourself, your children and with each other. After the busyness of school, after school activities, and end of year activities sometimes everyone needs to relax and unwind. 
  •          Create the opportunities for this to happen? 
  •          Set the intention around what you want this summer is the first step in making it happen. 
  •          Identify 1 or 2 (maximum) action steps to help you achieve your goals.
  •          Set up a practice plan to make this happen. 
 
Lasting change can only happen through Awareness, Action and Practice. What kind of changes do you want to make this summer? Take care and have fun.
 
All the best
Gerrianne

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