Summer calls to the child in each of us to savor the weather, the pace, the desires and vision of fun and lazy days. Expectations can crash with reality, however without intentions, planning, and communications taking place so that relationship building and values take center stage for your summer experiences.
It’s June and now is the time to look at your summer calendar and visualize what memories you and your family will be smiling about when September rolls around. Picture yourself in the middle of happy, smiling faces and connecting with your family. You can be asking yourself the following three questions for determining what your summer fun could look like, sound like feel like. Set your vision and intentions now!
If nothing else happens this summer, what is the most essential activity that our family can do that will connect us together?
Connecting family members through fun is one of the best ways to build trust among members. What is one activity or series of activities that could be fun for your whole family? How could you unplug for a day and focus on each other? What would everyone enjoy doing? Creating memories together and fun builds trust.
What is one activity our family could add weekly into our routine that would be fun and reduce stress?
Laughing together can be one of the best stress relievers. Could you find a funny movie night to add to your routine? Or tell a joke night around your dinner table? What about sharing a funny story for one meal a week? Perhaps a game night would be fun. Whatever you can add that is low stress, fun for everyone and consistent that everyone could look forward to doing and being together. Searching Pinterest for outdoor games is a great source of ideas.
What are places we would like to go this summer that will help us learn or serve or celebrate our family?
Places to go could be a brainstorming activity with your family. You could make it as simple or elaborate as you want. Depending on the age and interests of your family and availability in your local, you could visit a variety of places. Examples to include a local zoo, arboretum, park, museum, historical museum or home. Or what about family history? Are there places your ancestors used to live that you could visit and research? Or even interview living ancestors and hear their stories?
Start dreaming now for the summer fun to begin. Gather your family and have everyone have their say about about what summer fun could look like. Don’t forget the extended family, too. I can’t wait to hear about how your family connects this summer. You’ll be so glad you set intentions now.
Nancy Booth is a certified life coach and certified brain-based coach. She loves creating safe spaces for women going through life’s transitions to discover and support their visions for health and well-being in an overwhelming world.. She writes about taming the overwhelm. looking for ways to motivate, energize and inspire you to find that new vision! You can sign up to receive her weekly blog or contact her to find out ways you can begin to shed overwhelm. It’s time to explore possibilities of a new vision to include stronger relationships, better life pacing and gain hope and peace.