Summer life is already upon us here in the states.
We’re watching birds and looking for nests. We’re walking barefoot and having picnics in the grass.
We’re already planning to pick strawberries and blueberries.
And yet the calendar is already filling up. Finding that balance of doing stuff and not doing too much is always a challenge, a constant feeling of push and pull. Our children want to do so much and we want to give them so many opportunities — and yet we also know they will enjoy summer best if it’s slow and meaningful.
For instance, when discussing our planned beach vacation our daughters had a great conversation about how to make time go slower.
“We shouldn’t do too much because then the time will go slower,” Jadyn said
“Yeah, I agree,” Liana said.
My daughters have already figured out — at the tender age of 8 — that time goes much faster when we’re busy and slower when we’re not. Funny, I’m writing a book about this topic so perhaps they’ve picked up on a few things.
In our family, we plan summer knowing that this balance of doing and not doing is going to be a struggle but one we’re willing to do with love and connection the whole way through.
Here are some tips for How to Plan A Slow Summer:
Keep it Simple.
Each activity we do outside of the house will be simple. Our summer focus will be on one organized activity — tennis — and the rest of the time we’ll be happy to visit farmer’s markets, flower markets and explore local nature centers.
Stick to the Meaningful.
The best parts of summer are spent around a campfire, under the stars, or chasing each other in the yard. More of this. Yes, more of this.
Let them Roam.
I love letting my girls loose to run and play. They are getting older and love the freedom. This is summer. I want to be able to do my own thing. I want them to be able to do their own things. And, naturally, we’ll find connections at the intersections of our days.
Ditch the Schedule.
Our days will always have a very consistent flow because we operate better that way but the flow leaves lots of room for flexibility and adventures. It also leaves room for ditching something that’s not necessary in our lives, too. A good flow offers a set schedule that takes care of our needs but isn’t so rigid that we have to be here and there all day long.
Instill a Sense of Calm.
Perhaps this is more for me but a slow summer means relaxing. The bulk of our days should feel calm, relaxed and happy. If I have to fight with my children to do something, perhaps we shouldn’t do it. And, I’d rather choose the peaceful path – the path of least resistance – because I know it’s healthier for my family’s overall wellness. So if the plan is to take a hike and that just doesn’t feel right, I’m going to go with what feels calm over what the plan was supposed to be.
Accept Imperfection.
To have slow summer means not having any expectations about anything other than just enjoying each day. If we wake up and decide a day in our jammies is best, that’s a perfectly imperfect day. May we have many of them. Or, perhaps, that’s not what we want to do. A slow summer allows for those kinds of imperfect last-minute changes.
Do What You Love.
Summer is meant to be enjoyed. That includes doing things YOU love, too — not just the kids. So if hiking is your thing and the kids can’t keep up, plan to go hiking on your own or with a friend. We get really wrapped up in what the kids need for an ideal summer vacation that we sometimes forget we’re people, too, with needs and desires. Summer is a great time to meet those needs.
Oh, and once you know have a plan for a slow summer, you need some slow summer activities — to savor the season and the days together. You can get 50 Ideas for a Slow Summer here.
Need more ideas on slowing down?
Check out my Let’s Ban Busy Pinterest Board:
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This is a wonderful post. A favorite day in the Summer for me is sitting on my front porch in the sunshine, reading. Also taking a walk with the dog and soaking in the sunshine…..and so much more.
I love your idea of blissful summers.
Great post. For me, a slow summer also means few, simple plans. We joined a suburban pool this summer and plan to spend most of our time their – during the week the girls and I and on the weekend the entire family. We spend three weeks every summer in Wisconsin – it’s a much slower pace than Chicago, so we all benefit from that. For me too, summer is all about taking the pace down a few notches. I love that we can wake up and have no pressing place to go. That to me is bliss.
Simple is best, for sure. Love your idea of bliss, too.
I enjoy your posts so much! Thank you for them as they help remind me of what is important. I want to give my kids lots of oppotunities for various experiences that sometimes I forget that the best experiences are enjoying the everyday things – looking at our garden and flowers, going for a walk to the park, etc.
Thank you for your kind note … so glad you are enjoying the slow days.
I love this! I like to call it an “old fashion” summer! There is something so magical about summer.
Oh, yes, old fashioned is a great way to describe it.
I love the idea of one planned consistent activity a week. I’ve found that I’ve become wrapped up in keeping up with the other moms I know and they seem to need something planned every day. I finally asked my 3 year old what his favorite activity is that we do every week and he said staying home and playing. Wow what a slap into reality. As activities are coming to an end for this session it is nice to think of picking just one for the summer!
Exactly. As they get older that will change so enjoy that time now! One thing a week and a day — always my goal.
So looking forward to a much needed slow summer for our whole family (T minus two weeks!!)! I realized last year that everything I was doing was mostly for my girls and not much to fill my own well. This year, it will be hanging out with grandma for two or three hours twice a week while I head to yoga, and time for me to journal and read while they play at our local pool club (a necessity for an introvert like me).
Funny how mama always ends up last on the list, if at all. I may just catch a few fireflies myself this summer. 🙂
Agreed, Mama!! I am looking forward to days just unraveling as they need to and not being directed by our agenda.