Family Fridays: Transition to Summer

School’s out! What lies ahead this summer for your family? Taking the time at the beginning of the summer to go over schedules, plans and expectations can help ease tensions. Taking the time to discover how your family wants to experience the summer will bring you even closer to the summer you hope for.

Transition times are an opportunity to be proactive and take steps that will bring harmony into your home. This is your chance to set your family up to really enjoy yourselves and take full advantage of what the summer season has to offer.

These times can be filled with emotion, excitement, and maybe some concern about what is to come. Any time there is a transition (even when you are moving into good times) there may be unknown expectations and this can bring up some uncertainty.

At this time of the year I hear the concerns of many parents. You may be worried about how many times you are going to hear the words “I’m bored”, how many arguments there are going to be over screen time, or how messy the house is going to get. Whatever it is that leaves you feeling concerned is exactly what you should take the time to talk to your family about.

Once you have been able to find clarity around expectations you can really begin to look at what it is you do want: What do you want to get out of the summer? And how you want to feel during your holidays?

For example, I would like to start each day off with one hour of exercise and meditation. This will give me energy for the day and I will feel relaxed because I am healthy and cared for. This will be possible if the kids can get up, get themselves a bowl of cereal and do something low key in preparation for the day. Once everyone is on the same page about this goal it seems pretty realistic. Starting the day this way will not only help me reach my fitness goal but it will help bring about the relaxed feeling that everyone in my home enjoys over the summer holidays.

If you let the opportunity to set your intentions pass, the summer can go by like a whirlwind. Instead of just getting by this summer why not try getting the most joy.

If you would like to talk about how to ease into your summer please call, email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or share your comments below. Here is an activity that you can try with your family to be proactive.

ACTIVITY:
Get together with your family and a big piece of paper.

1. On the left hand side of the paper write out what you want this summer. This can be to play video games, go camping, have a picnic, or any other activity you are planning for the summer.
2. On the right hand side of the paper write out how you want to feel during these activities.
3. Take a separate paper and write out at least 3 actions that you can do to make your activities happen the way you want them.

Being proactive and sharing your desires will help you build bonds and develop more harmony in your home. I hope you enjoy the feelings that you are creating towards a fun filled summer!