Don’t Waste Your Summer

You can feel it in the air, quite literally, that summer is here. The weather is heating up and the humidity is rising like it’s nobody’s business. Even though it technically begins on June 21^st, also known as the Summer Solstice (you’ll thank me later when you get that trivia correct), society has begun summer after Memorial Day. The “Summer Sales” ads have been airing for a few weeks so we’ll take some liberties in announcing that summer is here…now what?

Whether it is for you or your kids, make sure that you don’t waste your summer! It can be so easy to blink and it be Labor Day. I know what you’re thinking “my job won’t give me 3 months off for summer, how can I take advantage of summer?” The best ways that I’ve found to work in summer fun with actual work is do the little things. Take your lunch break outside underneath some shade, go for an early morning run in the cool air, do family activities at night and on the weekends.

The last one in that list is the most important. Make time for family time. Your kids are out of school and want to find fun things to do! Go to a baseball game, head to the lake for a day, take a mini 3 day vacation over the weekend. Or, if you are looking to stay at home, have a picnic in your backyard for dinner, grill out with friends, go to a park in the evening and play some sports. The possibilities are endless and the weather (other than the dreaded 2:00-5:00 pm 100 degree weather) usually is very pleasant and allows for great fun.

Your kids are also a huge part of your summer plans. If you work in the day, make sure that they aren’t sleeping away their summers. If they are old enough, try to get them to go apply for a summer job, put them in camps for a few weeks to get active, and something that my mom would do during the summers would be give us a chores list. **Gasps** Yes, chores lists are a great way to get your kids to learn responsibility in the summer. If they are going to be home for the day make them a list before you leave and give them an incentive to get it done before you get back. They will learn responsibility and ownership of their things and it will help them serve you when you are not home.

Above all, make sure you and your family are using their time efficiently during the summer and not wasting days. Don’t get into a “lazy summer” mindset because it is very hard to break out of. Grow closer to one another in your family and make time for lasting memories. Don’t forget a camera and the sunscreen!!   

Don't forget to share this article with your favorite friends and family.  They may need some help this summer!  Have a super summer!