Summer Time Survival Tips

From Sharon:

Summer is here! What does summer time mean and look like for you and for your family?

As wonderful as it is and important to have “free-for-all” moments and carefree days, it is also important to create intention and predictability for our summer days.

Below are some tips to make the most out of your summer (and beyond) while creating connections, strengthening your relationships both for yourself and for and with your kids.

Enjoy, have fun and remember to LAUGH!!

Before summer begins

Create a small list of absolutes/deliverables- (musts for summer time) Do this for yourself and together with your kids.

Ideas:

• making bed each morning

• clearing plates from dinner table

• technology free zones (e.g. dinner; restaurants; on outings…)

• technology time limits (2 hours/day is the recommended amount of time for kids

• quiet time each day inclusive of all devices on “Off”

• up to 2 sleepovers/week

• ….you get the idea

Once summer begins-

Follow through/Enforce the absolutes/deliverables you have created and stated

-The following “You can” Statements work great here-

“You are welcome to________ as soon as ________.”      

“I will be happy to _______as soon as__________.”

-Remain calm    Take Action   Keep moving

-What is your “crossing the street” story? (Did you ever let your kids cross a busy street simply because they wanted to?)  Remember it and “carry it “ with you every day!!

When kids argue and try to get their way-

-LESS IS MORE

-Refrain from answering the content of their argument(s)

-Go Brain Dead! --  “I know”, “Nice try”, “Probably so” etc

Cranky, Tired, Frustrated?

Ask yourself, “Why am I feeling this way?”  “What’s yanking my chain today?”

Create a list of your biggest “hot buttons” so you are prepared to handle them later

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Find your inner kid while still being the cool, calm and in-control parent they need you to be.(Duck on water effect!)  Light-hearted, up beat, silly, goofy communication and actions will take you FAR and will allow you to have FUN and will increase the level of cooperation from your kids!

• not feeling it - that’s cool- just refrain from shaming, blaming and other disconnecting forms of communication and actions.

The Energy you bring will create the energy you receive

Give yourself permission to LET “IT” GO

Focus on your children’s strengths!  What can you do to embrace and encourage skill building of their strengths and interests?

Write your children’s strengths here? (Make a list of your strengths too). ☺

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Are your expectations too high for yourself? For your children?

Elicit help from your kids to hold you accountable for one of your summer goals. They will love it- Role reversal.

Take “ME” Time!

• exercise

• date nights

• our with friends

• shopping alone

• etc…

Kids Bored?  WOOHOO!!!  Fantastic!  Ok to guide them with ideas SOME of the time but true learning occurs when they have to think for themselves.

You do not need to play the role of SOCIAL DIRECTOR!!!!

“I know- kind of a boring day.  Hey, I’m doing laundry and then I’m wiping all of the kitchen cabinets.  You are free to help!”

(That should spark some creativity on their part!!)

MODEL MODEL MODEL in order to get kids to read, to listen, to learn Spanish, to be a good sport etc.  ☺ So what does that really mean for you?

Catch your child doing the right thing and say so using specific descriptors.

And lastly,

ENJOY YOUR SUMMER

CREATE LASTING MEMORIES WITH YOUR KIDS

PUT YOUR ENERGY TOWARDS WHAT YOU WANT TO GROW