Summer Guide for Parents of Children

Let's Show Up

How you show up truly matters. Think about it: have you ever rushed to work after waking up late, feeling disheveled and unprepared? Chances are, that day felt a bit chaotic, right? Now, imagine the opposite. You wake up with ample time, enjoy a good meal and a cup of coffee, and even check your GPS for the best route. That kind of preparation often sets you up for an incredible day.

This summer, I'm inviting you to bring that same intentionality to your family life. Show up for your kids and family full of joy and ready to have fun. Come alive this summer, and watch your family connections and bonds strengthen like never before.

Cultivate Connection and Joy

This summer, let's make time for what truly matters. Plan fun dinners and make dessert together. Invite friends over, visit family, and build that epic fort. Play that game, hike that mountain. And don't forget the deeper connections: apologize, forgive, pray together, and go to church. For the next few weeks, pursue your children with intention. Connecting with your kids in a fun and meaningful way will have a lasting impact.

Take a step towards joy and do something that might be easy to skip during busy times, but that would truly spark happiness. Jesus was no stranger to joy – he celebrated at weddings, hosted and attended dinner parties, and took time for leisure and rest with his friends. He fished with them and spent a lot of time in their homes. People were drawn to Jesus because he genuinely wanted to be with them! Even those who disliked him never called him a grump.

What would it look like for us to show up for our kids this summer joyfully and genuinely enjoy each other's company?

My two goals for this summer are simple:

• Show up with joy.

• Have fun and strengthen bonds.

And I want to offer these goals to you as well.

I'm planning to do some things I've never done with my boys before to strengthen our connection and have more fun. Just thinking about our summer plans fills me with joy and excitement about the time we'll spend with our growing boys. I've already got a long list of activities, places, parks, and people we want to see.

My encouragement to you, in the midst of all it takes to raise your kids, is to follow the rhythms of Jesus: have joy and have fun with your children. This is what your kids need most from you as their parents this summer. It will strengthen your relationships and leave a lasting mark on your child and your family legacy. Building a strong connection and relationship will be essential as your child grows into their teenage years because you will be able to easily teach them important life lessons as they enter adulthood when you have a strong connection and relationship. You won't regret it.

Let me know how it goes! Tag me on Instagram if you'd like to share!

A Guide to Joyful Summer Connection

This guide will help you protect your joy while connecting and having fun with your children. By providing a blend of structure and flexibility, you'll be able to pursue connection and plan a ton of fun for your family with more ease.

Establish Structure

We thrive on structure in our lives. A lack of it can overwork our brains and lead to mental fatigue. Providing your child with consistent structure and routine—such as mealtimes, bedtimes, and activity times—will set you up for an enjoyable summer. This consistency helps your child feel secure and reduces their stress, as they can predict what to expect. For example, consider making every Tuesday "chore day," every Thursday "family meal with grandparents," and every Sunday "church day." Let’s be real, structures and routines also help us plan, have a game plan and relay it confidently to our family. 

Establish a Schedule

There's immense power in using a visual calendar or schedule for your kids. List the activities for the day and what to look forward to. This not only helps your child feel prepared but also fosters responsibility. They can begin to pack, wash clothes, and gather supplies for upcoming events like a camping trip or fishing outing. This executive functioning skill is an essential life skill that you can easily embed over the summer, and it can seamlessly transfer to academics in the school year.

Opportunities for Play and Learning

Summer is an ideal time to explore your child's existing interests or ignite new ones, whether it's through kid camps, summer classes, free play, outdoor play, or engaging games. If they don't express an interest, you can spark curiosity by creating a "wheel of things to try" and rating them to see if further exploration is warranted. Use this time to help your child discover what sets their soul on fire, what piques their interest, and what their strengths are. Parents are uniquely positioned to find the gold in their child! Learn about your child’s strengths and likes and learn new skills together this summer and build a strong bond. Dream together! Summer is also a great time to strengthen any areas highlighted by their teacher at the end of the year (check their report card!). You will be glad you did as you head into their teen years and seek career pathways. 

Quality Time with Family

Even if it's just a few minutes per day, use the relaxing pace of summer to strengthen your bond and connect with your child. These moments help your child feel loved, secure, and supported and prepare you for the guiding years ahead.