THINK WITH YOUR HEART

FINALLY,
Summer is here and we can all take a break from THINKING WITH OUR HEADS!
It is easy to get lazy and let the days of summer roll by without savoring them.

Some suggestions for making the most of the summer and sharing
“QUALITY” FAMILY TIME.

1) TAKE TIME TO PLAN SOME NEW AND FUN SUMMER RITUALS THAT WARM EACH OTHER’S HEARTS.

We have begun to do Sunday barbeques where everyone gets their favorite food and we add new and different side dishes just for fun. My 15 & 19 year olds take charge of grilling and have come to enjoy mastering these new skills while my husband gets a restful break.

2) FIND TIME AS A FAMILY TO BOND.

Be creative, fun and even silly. If not now, when? Think of the goal as a time to play, laugh and do the things there are not time for during the school year.
Include your kids in the planning and doing – it makes all the difference in the world.

With teenagers, they often balk at doing things as a family but once they do it, they typically have a great time. So, while being flexible, not participating should not be one of the choices.

In our family, it is like “pulling teeth” to get my kids to go to the beach but once we are there, they always hate to leave. Add dinner on the beach and it is a winner every time.

4) SET UP SCHEDULES TO DEAL WITH THE “MUST DO” LIST

I have found it best to have my kids do their summer reading and work first thing in the morning when they get up. They are the freshest and least distracted from other activities.
They quickly get used to this and see a change from this routine as a special “treat.”

5) DO THOUGHTFUL ACTS OF KINDNESS TOWARD OTHERS

In the extra free time that summer allows, think of ways to reach out to others.
Bake a batch of brownies for a new neighbor, offer to keep the mail or water someone’s plants when they are on vacation. Modeling this for your kids encourages them to do the same. Enlist them in these Acts of Kindness helps them develop sensitivity and empathy for others.

Last summer, I insisted that my 11year old son introduce himself to a new same age child who moved into the neighborhood. My rationale to him was “if this were you, how would it feel? Despite his initial resistance, he felt good about doing so afterward.

Comments

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Thanks so much for posting these, they are fantastic! So bummed I missed what looks like a truly unique evening.

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Think of the goal as a time to play, laugh and do the things there are not time for during the school year.

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