Now that burnout is an official medical diagnosis, I think it’s a good time to bring some simplicity back into our lives this summer.
There is always the temptation of the zillion great summer camp options available. I’ll admit I signed up for a week long one, one for each of my kids with the school they will be attending in the fall. The intention was to practice getting used to that school so drop off in the fall would be a breeze for both kid and me… mostly me.
This simple summer phenomena is not genius. It was how I was raised and probably how most of you and your parents were raised. With how complicated life seems to be today, here is what we will be doing to bring simplicity back. Beware, your kids may be bored at times, but I think that’s good! That’s when creativity is born!
- Set up a safety town outside in the driveway. Grandma sent kid size street signs that are easy to set up and take down.
- Host a lemonade stand and have your child make flyers to drop off at the neighbor’s house (this is the entrepreneur in me).
- Swim, swim, swim! At home or a local pool (invite friends over, play pool games, etc.).
- Play in the back yard. Sit toys or objects out and let the kids use their imagination to build and play.
- Set up different areas in the house with different activities (e.g., front yard is sidewalk chalk, media room is trains, office is reading).
- Go on a walk.
- Go to a splash pad.
- Pick vegetables at your garden or a local garden.
- Water plants and teach your child about taking care of the environment.
- Help clean up and make it a game.
- Help mom cook! Teach your child about measuring cups, measuring spoons and practice the names of the ingredients.
- Visit Grandma and Grandpa for bonding time.
- Take a nap or have downtime/rest.
Written by our Founder & Owner, Lindsay Bell