Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial beginning of summer … and while we never want to forget to reflect and honor those who have sacrificed their lives for our freedoms; we also recognize that it is a time when school is out … the kids are home and regular routines are often shattered … and the challenges of summer vacation loom ahead. Here are three thoughts to help you get the most out of your summer season …
Manage your expectations: Sometimes we want to get a year’s worth of work, relationship building and family fun all crammed into the three months of summer. I know Karen and I have planned a special biking or kayaking event for every Wednesday this summer … it is ambitious and failure to hit those targets will probably create some personal and relational stress.
So, keep your expectations reasonable … set some goals for your time together as a couple and as a family … make sure you get to spend some quality memory making one on one time with each of your kids … and if you can … send them off to camp for a week so you can carve out some special time to reconnect as a couple!
Share the load: if your to-do list of summer jobs around the house has been piling up … you might want to start your summer off with a little sit down meeting to divide the tasks … your goal is to distress the yard, garden and house maintenance before they become more of an aggravation … than inspiration.
It’s too easy to say hey I’m on vacation … this is me time. Instead, the right thought is … “many hands make light work” … but my hunch is that you will discover that working together to accomplish a common goal is a very powerful relationship building activity.
Have some fun! Hey all work and no play does not make for a fun summer … so be sure to schedule some fun things to do together … they don’t need to be expensive … water balloon fights … backyard hot dog roasts … walks or bike rides … and my favorite … trips to the local ice cream parlor … will always be a fun time.
So start this holiday weekend … by honoring those who have defended us … and by planning to make this a memory making summer!
