The good news: summer is here. The bad news: the full calendars arrived with it. For many families, summer is a time of refreshment, regrouping, and planning for the upcoming year. For others, summer is business as usual.
Whether you’re enjoying some downtime, a lighter school load, or carrying on like normal, summer allows families – homeschool and non-homeschool families alike – time to celebrate another school year gone by.
What I love about summer, though, is that it invites families to savor each moment of the in-between while looking ahead to a new school year. If you’ve read my Invitation to Rest, you can conclude that I’m not a fan of jam-packed summers and nonstop busyness, especially in a season of exploration and play.
Vacations, summer camps, and church activities, oh my! Let’s not forget Vacation Bible School, sports commitments, or anything else that might be penciled in. I absolutely understand that there are unavoidable times of busyness during summer.
I also understand the desire to make the most of the many summer offerings available, but you don’t have to do everything. It’s more than okay to have days where nothing is planned. It gives your children time to be children. They’ll have overscheduled days soon enough. For now, let them savor summer.
What does savoring summer look like?
When I think of summer and all it should be, these simple things come to mind:
- Playing ball in the backyard
- Blowing bubbles
- Water balloon fights
- Time at the beach or lake
- Swimming at the pool
- Game nights
- Ice cream and frozen yogurt
- Movie nights
Your idea of savoring summer could look vastly different from mine. There’s no magic formula, but savoring summer involves having fun, enjoying your family, and focusing on straight-up childhood. If it’s family-oriented and focused on kids being kids, then it’s helping you savor your summer.
Figure out what savoring summer means to you and make it happen. Summer doesn’t last long; make this one your best summer yet!
