7 Ways to Enjoy Your Summer Break Without Losing Your Mind
By: John Thurman
After spending the last few weeks discussing depression, I felt I needed to lighten up for the summer. I hope you enjoy this article and that it helps you have a great summer. I hope the seven ways to enjoy your summer break without losing your mind will help you have a memorable summer in 2025.
Forget the Fantasy and Embrace the Reality
Ah, summer! The season is when we envision ourselves sipping iced tea on a sun-drenched beach while our children frolic happily in the waves. But let’s be real—most days might resemble a scene from a chaotic reality show instead. So, toss those picture-perfect expectations out the window and embrace the wonderfully messy reality of summer. You might not have a beachside cabana, but you do have a backyard sprinkler that can double as a water feature in an outdoor park? Embracing this reality can bring a sense of ease and joy, knowing that perfection is not the goal.
Keep Your Days Simple: Minimize Chaos
Summer freedom can quickly spiral into an overwhelming schedule of “Mom, can we go here?” or “Dad, I’m bored!” every five minutes. To maintain your sanity (and avoid turning into a frazzled mess), establish a simple daily rhythm—think more “relaxed family vibe” and less “military operation.” Prepare snacks ahead of time—because nothing says ‘chaos’ like three hungry kids trying to raid the pantry at once!
Allow Flexibility and Embrace Spontaneity
Summer is meant for slowing down and enjoying life’s little surprises, like when your child decides that today is officially “Dress Like A Dinosaur Day.” Be flexible with your plans; sometimes, the best memories come from unplanned moments (like that time you spontaneously decided to make mud pies). This flexibility can open up new experiences and reduce the stress of sticking to a rigid plan. Rigid schedules are for school days; this season is all about going with the flow—even if it leads you straight to an ice cream truck!
Plan for Boredom and Unstructured Time
Contrary to popular belief, boredom isn’t just your child’s way of driving you up the wall—it’s good for them! It sparks creativity! So don’t fill every second with activities; instead, keep some fallback options handy, like coloring books or board games (yes, those dusty relics hiding in your closet). Remember how boredom led us to create entire worlds out of couch cushions? Let them discover their version of “imaginative chaos!”
Resist Becoming the “Summer Activity Director”
As tempting as it may be to don that metaphorical captain’s hat and become the “Summer Cruise Activity Director,” resist! Instead of trying to entertain them constantly (which could lead to burnout faster than they can say “I want pizza”), set some limits on screen time and late-night escapades. Have family discussions about what everyone wants from summer—a little cooperation goes a long way in keeping everyone happy, and helps you avoid losing your temper.
Maintain an Attitude of Gratitude
Ah, summer break—the time when kids are free from homework. Parents are free from guilt over screen time. Amidst pool splashes and water balloon battles, don’t forget to be grateful. Take a moment to reflect on your blessings. For example, enjoy wearing flip-flops every day or eating ice cream for breakfast without judgment. Practicing gratitude is like putting on sunglasses; it helps you see the bright moments more clearly. Be thankful for small things, like sibling harmony or finding an extra slice of pizza. Cultivating gratitude deepens your appreciation for the goodness in life. It can remind you that a messy house means your kids are living life to the fullest, maybe a little too full of snacks. Embrace sunny days and thankfulness alike. Recognizing small joys and big blessings brings contentment.
Practice Self-Care
Now, let’s talk about self-care. Let’s be honest—if you’re going to survive summer break with your sanity intact, you need it! Sure, your kids might think “self-care” means lying on the couch while they perform their latest dance moves in front of you, but we know better. Self-care is not a luxury; it’s a necessity for parents during this bustling season filled with endless activities and responsibilities. It’s important to remember that taking time for yourself isn’t selfish; it’s necessary!
Taking time for yourself isn’t selfish; it’s necessary! Think about it: if you’re running on empty (or worse—on last week’s cold coffee), how can you possibly manage stress or demonstrate patience when your child asks for yet another snack? Prioritizing self-care ensures you’re recharged physically, spiritually, emotionally, and mentally so that when they inevitably ask if they can have dessert before dinner (spoiler alert: they’ll), you’ll respond with grace instead of resembling an overwhelmed tornado.
So, whether it’s sneaking away for a quiet moment with your favorite book or indulging in a bubble bath while pretending not to hear “Mom!” echoing from downstairs, make sure you’re nourishing yourself, too. After all, happy parents make happy kids…and fewer trips back into battle mode over who gets control of the TV remote!
Thanks for taking a moment to read Ways to Enjoy Your Summer Break Without Losing Your Mind. Enjoy your summer!
Helpful Links:
Low-Cost Summertime Ideas – Focus on the Family
Single Parents: Summer Months Can Be Complicated for Your Children by my friend Linda Jacobs
John Thurman [email protected]
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