Coach Mom Newsletter - JUN 2013
The big transition. It
comes every fall when school starts and then
every summer when school ends for the year.
Chaos breaks out as everyone’s schedules
change all at once. After about two weeks
everyone settles in, and things are smooth
again…at least until the next transition
back.
You, too, may feel
overwhelmed as school wraps up and you look
at your summer calendar. President of Focus
on the Family Jim Daly discussed the plight
of the overstuffed family schedule in his
April 2013 newsletter. “None of these
activities are bad, of course. Most of them
are quite positive and beneficial. But taken
in large doses, and stacked
back-to-back-to-back-to-back, these worthy
pursuits can turn into a monstrous tidal
wave that threatens to overtake us and sweep
us away. An overcrowded schedule can wreak
havoc on family unity and harmony, not to
mention physical and emotional health,” said
Daly.
Remember that you have
choices, so be intentional with your
commitments. This can be a time for your
family to slow the pace and rejuvenate. Rest
and refreshment does not just happen. It
takes intentionality. Set aside times on
your calendar to refresh with your spouse,
your children, and God.
If this was the last
summer you ever had with your family, what
would you regret not doing? Most of us can’t
all run out and do that Hawaii vacation
we’ve always dreamed of. But what is it that
you are really seeking, and how can you
foster that within the boundaries of what
you are able to do? Here’s another one: If
it was the last week of summer, what would
you regret not having done for or with your
family? Answering that question helps you
recognize what you most value and then treat
it as that. The calendar reveals the truth.
Ideas:
-
Before beginning
the planning process, pray and ask the
Lord to lead you.
-
Set aside “Mommy
time” each day for yourself, when the
kids know they are not to disturb you.
-
Set expectations
regarding breakfast, lunch, snacks, etc.
and the clean up of those, and
communicate those to the kids.
-
Heed Love and Logic
author Jim Fay’s advice in this
opportune season. He says the best gift
you can give your children ages nine and
older is to have them prepare, serve and
clean up a meal once a week for the
family.
-
Institute
independent time in the afternoon – kids
can go to separate places to quietly
read, build Legos, draw, or whatever
they would like to do.
-
Set boundaries on
what hours playtime with neighbor
friends will be allowed.
-
Decide on
consistent bedtime goals. (Dad still has
to get up and work in the morning.)
-
Set a family game
night for once a week. One of our family
favorites is charades. This gets us out
of our personal gadgets and back to
spending time together.
-
Assign an extra
chore or two per day to each child. They
are out of school and have more time to
contribute to the family. (Preface the
extra responsibilities by reminding them
you are providing them room and board
each day. Then remind them that
complaining about a chore is
volunteering to do an extra one!)
-
If your children
are not school-aged yet and this article
seems irrelevant to you, thank you for
making it this far reading! Perhaps this
could be a time you are intentional with
planning some meaningful get-togethers
with friends who are busy with
activities during the school year.
-
Create a packing
list on your computer for annual summer
trips. (Link) Each year print the list
and let each family member pack their
own bag.
-
Mid-summer, on
“easy” weeks, schedule to do some of the
things that will help make your fall
transition easier (i.e. fill out online
school registrations for your children,
buy school supplies and stock them away
for August.)
-
Most of all, enjoy
your summer! Thank God for each day with
your family, and I pray that your time
together is blessed.
back to top
Enjoy all the wonderful fruits of summer
in this super berry smoothie. It's one of my
family's favorites in the summertime.
http://brennastull.com/2011/09/07/fabulous-fruit-smoothie/
back to top
Reflecting on her recent trip to Europe,
Brenna challenges us to pursue the dreams
that God plants in our hearts. Are you
planting poppies?
http://brennastull.com/2013/06/04/looking-for-poppies/
back to top
|