Preparing for Summer ~ part 3

I mentioned here my desire to make memories during the summer months and I shared here that having a plan is more for me than for my kids.



Summer provides us with lots of time with our kids. And the question for me becomes, "how am I going to use it?"



One approach may be to schedule our kids with lots of organized activities. There is certainly no shortage of camps, classes, groups, and other events that compete for our sign-ups. It is literally possible to keep your child very busy through organized group activities all summer long.


Our personal approach is to focus on just a few things. Each year proves to be very different depending on what is going on and what we are planning for vacation. One year our summer seemed to revolve around three pairs of black goggles. My three oldest kids received goggles as a gift and they became part of their sun kissed faces. They lasted all summer and went with us everywhere. They even had special hooks in the garage where they hung with their towel. They went with us to the pool, the river, and the lake. This was also the year we worked through a fun kids devotional. My kids were 11, 8, 6, and 3. The three older ones could sit and read together. It was a very fun summer.



This year my plan is simple. We will have daily bible study and reading. My girls are excited to do some studies with me personally. We have set aside time in our week to accomplish this. The kids are choosing one "classic" from our own collection to read this summer. My husband bought this book to read in the evening before bed with everyone. This is a favorite summer tradition. Hunter will be making his way to the library to join the Summer reading program.

The kids made a list of potential summer activities . My only request was that they couldn't cost anything or very little. This became a fun exercise in creativity and an opportunity for us to talk about saving and spending with our kids. We have set up simple ways the kids can earn money this summer. We have made envelopes for tithing, saving, and spending. They will have to earn all their own money for treats at the pool etc. I think we have a theme here. The kids want to clean out toys and other stuff and even hold a garage sale.

I don't have a calendar filled with activities and places to go. I want the kids to hop on their bikes and ride to the community pool most days. I have not signed them up for any classes, but I do hope to see them grow in their relationship with the Lord. They are not taking any type of lessons, but we hope to learn a lot about saving and spending.

I have a plan. The plan should allow me to make the most of my time this summer with my kids. It is my prayer that many days will be spent relaxing, sipping ice tea and enjoying the fellowship of one another.