Summer doesn’t always feel like a break! So how do you find rest and relaxation during those long, busy days? Simply put…you have to be intentional. Here are 5 ways to build in rest this summer for you and your kids!
Guest post by Victoria of Creative Home Keeper
Summer time can be a wonderful season of long, lazy days filled with activities and family. It can also be a season just as busy as others. Summer can leave you tired and weary due to the go-go pace of commitments, camps, vacations and other worthwhile activities.
So how do you find rest and relaxation during those long, busy days? Simply put…you have to be intentional. Today I’m sharing 5 simple ways to build in rest and to be intentional with your summer days.
1. Sleep In
I’ll admit that I’m a morning person so my natural alarm clock usually has me up by 6 if I’m not already awake. But there have been a few mornings when we all just needed to sleep in and stay in our pajamas. Obviously there are many mornings when this just isn’t possible due to prior commitments. But I think it’s such a great investment to choose a morning here or there and just sleep in.
If you have little ones pull them in bed with you for extra cuddles. Snuggle on the couch while watching a favorite morning cartoon (Curious George is a built-in morning fixture in our home). Enjoy the lazy, relaxed pace of the morning before getting started on your morning routine.
2. Stay Home
It’s so tempting to want to fill up every single day with activities. While some of those are definitely worth it, I think it’s also important to plan a day every once in a while where you just stay home.
Allow your kids to play with their own toys at their pace. Allow yourself to get caught up on laundry, work on a small project that you have wanted to tackle but just haven’t had the chance, or just do basic house cleaning. If you can swing it, try to completely stay home at least one day a week or at least once every other week.
As a warning from personal experience, keep the daily routine simple, focusing on what truly needs to get done. Don’t try to load up your days home with too many chores or projects that lead to your “rest” day being just as busy as any other day.
3. Get Chores Done Early
If time allows make it a rule to get the daily chores done early before you head out for the day’s activity. After all, who wants to come home to clean after a fun but exhausting day at the pool?
Get your kids to pitch in, too. Teach your toddlers to make their own beds, tidy up their toys and gather the laundry. Older kids can be taught to load or unload the dishwasher, run the washer and dryer or vacuum. If everyone pitches in, the chores will be done in no time–which will leave you the rest of the day to play or rest.
4. Build in Rest or Nap Time Every Day
My kids are still young enough where they both take about a two hour nap every afternoon. It’s pure bliss for this mama! But I know the day is coming when they will outgrow those long afternoon naps.
I’ve heard from many other mothers who still enforce a rest time. Their kids either play quietly or read in designated areas of the home. Building in an afternoon rest period gives everyone a chance to slow down and find a bit of quiet.
Even if the schedule is full, creating a 20 or 30 minute quiet time when everyone gets home, before the evening routine starts, can really bring some peace.
5. Enjoy the Days
I keep hearing the saying that there are only 18 summers while your kids are still at home and I’m trying to take that to heart. No one ever regrets just slowing down and getting on the floor to play with their kids or splashing around with them in the pool.
Allow yourself to let go of some self-imposed expectations of what your days should look like or what activities your kids should be involved in, and just slow down and enjoy the summer days as a family.
Ask your kids what they would like to do during the summer and create a small bucket list of intentional activities that please everyone. Record special memories in their memory journals and use the camera to catch those fun moments.
Every day during the summer doesn’t need to be packed with activities. Being intentional with your days can help you build in rest so that you and your family can enjoy the season and not start a new school year worn out.
Note from Erin: For help with planning your intentional summer, check out the 100 Days of Summertime eBook!
What are your favorite ways to build in times of rest during the busy summer season?
Victoria Osborn is married to her best friend and is a mother to two very active and energetic toddlers who keep her on her toes most days! She loves Jesus, writing, coffee and all things book related. You can find her writing at Creative Home Keeper where she desires to share tips and encouragement for living simply, intentional and inspired. Her eBook, Simply Dressed, gives homemakers inspiration to dress for the everyday ordinary days.
Heather @ My Overflowing Cup
Wow! Only 18 summers with our children. That really puts it into perspective, doesn’t it? I find it interesting that some struggle with being lazy, yet moms have to work at intentional rest. Memory journals are a great idea, as well as having a daily rest time, even after the kids have outgrown naps. Great post!
Sarah Mueller
Stay home – yes! I am desperately trying to do as much of this as possible. I’m done with VBS this week and looking forward to a slower pace. Downtime is so important for moms and kids! Thanks for the reminder.
Hilary
I love this post and your practical (and simple!) suggestions. I am all for sleeping in!! 🙂
lori dunham
Great tips on how to slow down for the summer and soak in the special time we have with our loved ones during the summer months!!!!