Summer is a time for relaxation, laughter and play. But it can also bring with it a unique set of challenges for moms. How do we juggle all of our responsibilities while still engaging our children and creating lasting memories? Here are 5 ways to enjoy your kids more this summer.
Guest Post by Sarah Koontz of Grounded & Surrounded
What if we all purpose (right now!) to set aside one day per week this summer to do something new and exciting with our children? And instead of spinning our wheels trying to come up with ideas on our own, let’s work together!
I have created five challenges to get us started, but the rest is up to you! The purpose of each challenge is to inspire your creativity and motivate you to stop and enjoy your kids during the summer months.
5 Ways to Enjoy your Kids More this Summer
1. Enjoy the View
Do you ever get so caught up in your “To-Do List” that you forget to stop and enjoy the view? Moms are constantly juggling their long list of responsibilities and sometimes we simply forget to stop and take in the beauty that surrounds us.
Beauty is a very personal thing. Take a moment to think about the most beautiful place within walking or driving distance to your home–a place that inspires you and makes you feel beautiful.
Go there! Take your family! Teach your kids what it means to stop and appreciate the world that surrounds them. Share a little of your beauty with them. Moms, you should never underestimate the power of a good walk!
Image by Arthur Hidden via Dollar Photo Club
2. Enjoy the Water
Kids make many of their favorite summertime memories at the pool or the lake. There is just something about playing with water that makes kids happy!
Although the little ones may love it, swimming sure is a lot of work for Mom! Put your thinking cap on and come up with an idea that involves water, but also sounds like a lot of fun for Mom, too.
Take your children on a water-seeking adventure and see how many water selfies you can take in an afternoon. Or build your own boats with your kids and let them “set sail” at your local creek.
It doesn’t matter what you do so long as it involves your kids, water, and lots of laughter.
Image by Megan Cole Miller via Dollar Photo Club
3. Enjoy the Dirt
Chances are you either love to play in the dirt or absolutely detest the stuff.
It doesn’t matter how you typically feel about dirt, this challenge is to find a new way to enjoy it. Find something in the dirt to do with your child that makes you a bit uncomfortable.
Take this opportunity to let your children decide how to complete the challenge. Follow their lead and let their creativity inspire you.
Image by
4. Enjoy Something New
As moms, we often have the best of intentions at the beginning of the summer. Many of us make a list full of fun new activities to keep our kids entertained and engaged all summer long.
But as the weeks drag on, we find ourselves disappointed by how few of those items actually get checked off our list. The truth is that summer is far too short and we rarely get to do all that we set out to accomplish.
Make it a priority to introduce your children to something new this summer. The look on their precious little faces is reward enough for our effort to create new and exciting experiences for them.
5. Enjoy the Mess
I saved this challenge for the end–for a reason! There is something about making a mess that is just plain hard for us moms to enjoy.
We are always thinking about the work it is going to take to clean up the mess, and often miss out on the “fun” that was supposed to be had in the making of it.
Kids are gifted at making messes. Every mother knows this to be true.
Taking the time to enjoy the mess with your children will give you a glimpse into the simplicity of childhood. It will help you to remember the value of fully engaging in the moment without thought of what is to follow.
Image by Tyler Olson via Dollar Photo Club
Want more ways to be intentional with your kids this summer?
We’ve created a free 10-week Summer Challenge for Moms. It is called the #ETHANproject. ETHAN is an acronym for “ENJOY the HERE and NOW.”
The purpose of the #ETHANproject Summer Challenge is to inspire your creativity, motivate you to be a better mom and support you through the summer months.
The Summer Challenge runs from June 1 – August 15 and is open to all moms.
What are your favorite ways to STOP and “ENJOY the HERE and NOW” with your kids? How are you going to enjoy your kids this summer?
Sarah Koontz is a stay-at-home wife and mother of two beautiful little girls. She is passionate about writing, and loves encouraging other moms to “ENJOY the HERE and NOW” through her #ETHANproject Challenges. She has a blog with her best friend Sammi at Grounded & Surrounded where they write about all things Healthy, Heart, Home, & Habits. You can find Sarah on Facebook , Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.
Gina F
I agree with the stop and enjoy the beauty and the water. My 2 & 4 year old love water play! Since I don’t have a pool, a lot of times what I will do is set up a water table outside for the kids to play in with toys and when the weather is bad out, I bring the water table in so they can play with it in the kitchen with towels down while I do dishes. They love it!
My kids also love going for picnics. Sometimes we have daddy meet us at the park for a dinner picnic or for lunch we either go to a park for a picnic or just do it in our back yard. This is one of their favorite things to do!
Sarah Koontz {Grounded & Surrounded}
I want to build a water table for my kids this summer. Bless you for being brave enough to bring the mess indoors for your littles….I don’t think I am brave enough to do that.
And I couldn’t agree with you more about picnics. I think we are going to have one today! Things are finally warming up around here…and we are ready to get out and ENJOY it!
Misty Blue
I love this! Isn’t it funny how all of these things feel so outside of our comfort zone, yet we did it all not THAT many years ago…! I miss being a kid. I will for sure enjoy being a kid with my kid!
Sarah Koontz {Grounded & Surrounded}
I think it is a lot like painting a room. The thought of all that work is daunting, but once you get started you realize it is a lot easier (and more fun) than you expected. Children’s laughter is contagious and it is so energizing to us moms. The first step is always the most difficult……
Monica @HappyandBlessedHome.com
We’re so excited to be a part of the #ETHANProject this summer! My boys love dirt and water and all the summer fun activities. Can’t wait to see all the fun shared by the ETHAN Project moms!
Thanks for sharing Erin!
Suzanna @ One Hoolie Mama
I love this list! My oldest is 17 months old and he loves, loves, loves the water. We have a local sprayground, but it’s often so busy that it’s not really suitable for someone so young, so we’ve picked up a kiddie pool to use outside, and sometimes, if nothing else sounds appealing, we just take the big bowl that we use for the dogs’ water outside and let #babyD splash away to his heart’s content. He loves it every time.
Kristen Miller
My 16 month old loves splashing in the dog’a water bowl too!
Rebecca from Hip Homeschooling
We are so excited to be doing this challenge over here, well, I am 😉 I have not told my family about it, I am going to try to do it in secret and see if they notice the change. I have been trying to get our house ready to list and in “go mode”, checking everything off and booting the kids outside. This project is going to be like a breath of fresh air in this house. Thanks for sharing!
amber
I am so excited for this challenge and the chance to be intentional with my kids this summer! And these are great ideas for each challenge! Can’t wait to see everyone’s individual take on the challenges!
Alana (@ I have a Future and a Hope)
I am so excited to be taking part of the #ETHANproject! It is pushing me out of my comfort zone in all the good ways, and reminding me of what is most important in life, the here and now. I can’t wait to read all the posts.
Kristen Miller
I love how structured the challenges are while still leaving us room to personalize the experiences with our kids. I’m really looking forward to all the challenges but I think the biggest one for me will be dealing with the mess. It will really be a step outside my comfort zone and that’s a good thing. This summer is getting off to a great start!
Sarah Koontz {Grounded & Surrounded}
ENJOY the Mess is going to be the hardest one for me too….that is why I saved it for the end of the summer. A lot of people are saying that the ENJOY Friendship (our very first challenge) is taking them well out of their comfort zone. I am just so glad we all can support & encourage each other throughout the summer, and I know we will be better moms because we TRIED!
Mackenzie
I love the idea letting the kids lead the way in the challenges. I find that I often have to show them how to do something instead of letting them work it out on their own. Hopefully, this project this summer will allow me to take a step back and let them explore and grow.
Sarah Koontz {Grounded & Surrounded}
Are you a bit of a controlling mommy too, Mackenzie? I am so bad at letting my kids lead the way, but as they get older I am finding it is getting easier.
Sarah Koontz {Grounded & Surrounded}
Thanks for giving me the opportunity to share the #ETHANproject Summer Challenge with your readers Erin. This summer is going to be EPIC!
Erin
Thanks so much for sharing, Sarah! I hope it’s a huge success!!
Shannon
This list is full of wonderful reminders to just enjoy the process and enjoy our kiddos. Thank you!
Samantha
As mothers I think we all need to be reminded to put away the To do list and enjoy our children. I know I do. I love this list. We have so many plans for this summer and I am so excited to document all the fun we have!!
Brooke
Participating in and reading others posts for the #ETHANproject is making me feel confident on jumping into this summer with my kiddos! I already started brainstorming a list of ideas that I want to get down and dirty with my trio on.
Recently posted by Brooke on The Funny In Mommy: http://thefunnyinmommy.com/2015/05/30/summer-is-coming-enjoying-the-here-and-now/
Laura Longville
I have one 18year old daughter at home for just 2 more months. I plan to make the best of our summer and our favorite thing to do is Enjoy the water. We hope to spend many days on the lake together. Looking forward to the challenges!
Kristy
I am so excited about these challenges! They are definitely going to push me past my comfort zones. I love the idea of building our own boats and sailing them…a great twist on the water challenge!
Melissa
Every time I read the challenges again, I keep getting new ideas! I think enjoy the view or enjoy the dirt might be the hardest ones for me. But I am okay with mess but for some reason, dirt is less okay with me. Hopefully we will find ways to have fun regardless! I somehow have a feeling that we will 🙂
Leah
Summer has always been my favorite season. I grew up in Arizona so perhaps its the heat and the swimming. Either way I can’t wait to have some fun with my little buddy this summer. We have all sorts of fun plans thanks to the great idea starters from the #ETHANproject. It’s gonna be an awesome summer.
Cindy
Love this! Very true! Take the time to enjoy everything! Mess and all.
Alyssa
Great ideas! I already know my two year old will love all of these things. 🙂
www.sweetlytattered.com
Linda
I’m on Pinterest only. But want to watch your progress and use some of the ideas with little ones I watch through the summer. We used the bird bath for little paper boats I folded once there was a warm day here. Lots of fun though the boats sank quickly.
Daisy Rain Martin
As a public school teacher who is sad to see her kids go every year, I would feel AWESOME if I knew kids were spending their summers doing all of these things. As a mom of one boy who is now a 24-year-old grown man, married and living in Seattle with his wife and my grandpuppy, I want to encourage everyone to spend quality time with their children and cherish every moment.
Memorize them.
Sarah Ann
I LOVE the idea of the #ETHANproject and am so excited to be a part! It’s crucial to intentionally build into the lives of our families and this is an easy way to do it. Thanks for making it easy, Sarah! Have a wonderful summer!
Simply Rachel
I am so stoked to be a part of this project! The more that I read over the challenges the more excited I become! …Looking forward to being creative and enjoying precious memories with my children this summer!
Valerie
Intentional and Purposeful — that is my mantra of this summer! (and hopefully it will stick afterwards)
#ETHANproject has made my summer more intentional, and let’s face it-planned out! My “peculiar obsession” for planning really loves having the weeks planned out!
My FAVORITE week’s challenge- the Enjoy the SKY! It will be my kiddos first time flying, and our eyes will be fixed on the fireworks in the sky over the MAGIC KINGDOM!
Thank you for the creation and the sharing of your project!!
Sandy
I am so excited to be a part of this challenge! It can be so hard to forget about the lists and really enjoy the moment. This summer, I am really going to try to do that! These are all such great ideas, I feel the dirtier you are the more fun you must have had, right??!!
Laura Longville
My daughter and I hiked Crazy Horse Mountain together for the first time. It was amazing and fun. So glad we did it. She’s heading off to college in the fall so I am taking advantage o our time this summer to do many “firsts”.