Making the Most of Summertime!

​Such a precious time of year with school done and the possibilities of summer on the horizon. Sometimes the pressure to do a lot in the summer, and pack the most in possible can create more stress than enjoyment of the moment. The ideal is to strike the balance between activities and downtime. For many “less is more”. I have needed to learn this lesson over the summers when I feel rundown and not enjoying the time as much with my kids as I would like. Depending on your families schedule, work hours, and age of children it may vary. I found morning activities on my days off struck the right balance for our family, as it is one of the cooler points of the day, kids are well rested, and have more energy to burn off; then it allowed for more low key afternoons. Find below some ideas to get you thinking about the right balance for your family. 

1. Set aside time for the calendar. As a family take some time in the next week to map out on a hardcopy calendar what is already planned for the summer so the child(ren) and you can see it visually. This may include family vacation, day trips, camps, parties, childcare, and appointments. This can build excitement for what is to come and also set realistic expectations for what is possible to do. 
2. Brainstorm Time. Invite your child(ren) to think about, write down and then share the top 3 to 5 things they would want to do this summer; this is also great for the parents to do as they are role modelling contributing, everyone’s voice in the family mattering and the importance of identifying needs.
3. Find the Time in the Calendar. Depending on what your child requests, figure out with them how you can make this happen in the calendar. Depending on time factor, they may need to help out with a chore around the house so you have the time to take them, and this is a great opportunity to instill family values, for example everyone’s contribution has an impact in things running smoothly and each person’s needs getting met. You can also maximize the time by finding locations that meet multiple needs. For example one child wants to go to the splash pad and another wants to have a playdate with their friend to play soccer or play at the park, the best would be to find a place that could facilitate both splashpad and park area. If your child requests a whole day, this may not be feasible but an hour once a week would be; it is usually easiest for scheduling to pick a consistent time each week. Once it is in the calendar it is much easier to be successful in following through. If due to weather something needs to be changed, it is important to acknowledge your child(ren)’s feelings about any disappointment or upset, and try to find another time in the calendar to make it happen.
4. Allow for Downtime. Set aside time each day to have slow paced afternoons that may include reading books, having a stuffed animal picnic under the tree, playing in the sandbox, drawing in the shade, or exploring for insects in the backyard. Having unstructured time allows your child to stumble upon new found interests, and it allows them to engage more deeply with their creativity and imagination. It is okay for children to be bored, as some of the greatest discoveries come out of these moments. 

If you need additional support reach out to me I am Nicole Levy and I would be happy to help. Book an initial consult directly though  https://oab.owlpractice.ca/mindfulhealingjourney/booking