It can be the best of times; it can be the worst of times. We know it as summertime. Yes, our schedules are typically less chaotic, but the non-school months force us into heavy-duty togetherness. As a parent or grandparent, how can we make the best of this time of the year? Here are a few ideas to bring a smile to your kids’ faces as well as your own.

1. Start the summer off with great expectations. Celebrate the start of summer with their favorite breakfast and a joyful welcome. Kids will catch your enthusiasm as you tell them what you are looking forward to during the coming months. Allow them to share what they hope to do while school is out of session as well. Delightfully discuss some house rules as far as screen time and snacks. It’s always a good idea to remind kids of the 3 D’s of discipline: Dishonesty, Disobedience, and Disrespect, letting them know you have great expectations for their behavior.
2. No more B-word. Oh, the dreaded words, “I’m Bored!” As if the parents are in charge of the child’s entertainment 24/7! Here’s an idea – take a large mason jar and label it “Boredom Busters.” Provide each of your kids with small strips of paper and ask them to stop and think about what they could do if they ever felt the B-word coming to mind. Give them some ideas: you could read a book, do an art project, write a story or a poem, play in the sprinklers, shoot hoops, roller skate, visit a neighbor, cook, play with old Christmas gifts, do a puzzle, etc…Allow the kids to write their own ideas, fold each one up and put it in the jar. Then, if they ever think they are feeling B….. (well, you know), then tell them to go to the jar and pick an idea.
3. Maintain a daily routine. We all do a little better with structure in our lives. During the summer, create a relaxed routine that combines flexibility with a light schedule. I recommend doing activities, errands, and outings in the morning hours when everyone is fresh and energetic. Make a plan to visit places in your area, such as parks, museums, hiking trails, and kid-friendly spaces. Plan a set time for lunch each day, and then have a little FOB time (Flat on Bunk) for the kids. We all need a little rest from our day and from one another. FOB allows us to rest and regroup for 30-45 minutes. Afternoon is a great time for crafts, screentime, or free-play. A bedtime routine is also important to your kids. Consider bath, brush teeth, devotional, and prayer before lights out.
4. Choose different themes for each week. Each week, pick a topic, theme, or focus that provides direction to the things you do each day. Consider age-appropriate themes that fit your kids’ interests. What about Animal week, or Science week, or Plants and Flowers week, or Bug week, or Bird week, or Space week?  You get the idea. Infuse the week with A (activities), B (books), C (crafts), and D (devotionals). Let’s say you are doing Animal Week. For activities, you can go to a zoo, a farm, a wildlife preserve, a pet store, and/or a natural history museum. Go to the library and pick out books specifically about different animals. For crafts, you can make animal ears, create playdough animals, form animals out of foil, or simply do color pages with different animals. Devotionals can include Adam naming the animals, Noah and the ark, Job’s mention of dinos and other animals, or Daniel in the lion’s den.
5. Keep it simple! Don’t exhaust yourself with a million ideas, just choose a few good ones that work for your family. Let’s not lose sight of the simple fun and memories that can be created by having time together. Running through sprinklers, making forts, playing school, throwing a frisbee, lying outside to observe the clouds or the stars, taking a walk, getting together with friends at a park doing a puzzle, or having movie night together – all provide easy, no-cost, joy-filled fun. Remember, we set the tone for the home. If we choose to find joy in the simple things, our attitude often permeates the home.

Finally, don’t forget the power of conversation. Dinnertime discussions can be an added value and blessing during this slower-paced time of the year. The benefits of our kids experiencing family togetherness are monumental in helping them feel seen and heard. Let’s make the most of this summer season and use this space to build memories and create connectedness as a family. Let’s stay positive and grateful for this time together. Happy possibilities abound!