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Time keeps flying as my due date for baby #3 is nearing with her anticipated September 7th arrival. I’ll be using my final month to hunker down with my family – connecting, preparing and being mindful of these summer days before our four-some becomes a five-some. As I set my own intention for August, I use this time with you to ask some similar questions:
I’ve been talking a lot about how to use the summer and enjoy the gift of “free time” that it brings. From reveling in carefree unstructured days to helping ourselves and our families get on some new systems and routines before the craze of the new school year. Well, I’m here to also share and offer a gentle reminder of calm and patience. It is often shared that it takes 21 days to form a new habit. However, that number is in fact the "the minimum amount of time needed to adapt to a new change.”  “New research from a study conducted by Phillippa Lally, a health psychology researcher at University College London shows that...
...on average, it takes more than 2 months before a new behavior becomes automatic — 66 days to be exact." (JamesClear.com) So, how does all this connect with parenting? So how’s the down time and just “being” going? How’s another week of summer under your family’s belt? What’s something you wish to be different this summer with your family?  Well, summer is a great season to hone in on what may need tweaking in your home and in your relationship with your child(ren). The bustle of school, after school activities and homework is out of the way. And, even if your child is in camp, it’s a much different pace and set of expectations than what’s been going on throughout the school year.
Let’s say you’d like to help your child gain more confidence and independence over the next two months. First, high five to you as this is great and something that will reap many benefits and rewards in your relationship with one another. Summer time is a welcomed change to the daily routine of the school year. However, with all the “downtime” the season brings many of us start to panic and wonder … “What are the kids going to do all summer?” I know we cringe and dread hearing, “I’m bored” and “what are we going to do now?”  So, we jump into high gear and look for things to keep them busy. As a working mom, I also know the reality of needing to have our kids supervised in some full/half day activity during working hours while striking a balance of enjoying and embracing the “downtime” and carefree nature of summer.
The beauty of summer is being able to indulge ourselves (and allowing our kids to do the same) in free time. Wow, what a concept right? FREE TIME! However, I’m curious … how much do our kids really know, understand and revel in “free time”? How often do we model, teach and “do” free time well in our homes? |
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