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The weather is warmer and a mother’s thoughts turn to: summer relaxation.

Oh yes, I forgot.  We have kids we have to plan summer activities for!

In daily life, there is often little rest for mom.  In order for your world to slow down a bit, you’ve got to keep the kids busy.

Here are some activities (Musts for a Mom-Savoring Summer) that were always anchor points for our summers:

1. Read: To celebrate the end of the “school year” (although school often went year round) we celebrate with a trip to the bookstore.  Each child gets to buy a summer book or two – others will come from the library.  We set a reading goal – either a set number of books or a required amount of time each day.  It’s so important for our kids to read books that they hold in their hands!  It’s vastly different from screen life.  Does your public library or bookstore have a reading program?  Get signed up. Some have some nice prizes.  If not, do your own reading program offering incentives. They can be simple, like a trip to the park, or more complex, like a day at the amusement park.

2. Serve. Kids need to learn the value of work and the privilege of service.  Don’t get me wrong –  I’m all for kids having time to dream and play – but too much time isn’t good for them either.  Especially as your kids get older, they should learn to serve via work – either paid or unpaid.  Is there a neighbor who needs help?  Is there a VBS where your older child can serve?  Hospitals and nursing homes are often desperate for volunteers.  Start checking out the opportunities available. For older kids, by the way, summer job slots at park districts, ice cream stores, etc. start taking applications in March!

3. Skills.  The laid back pace of summer is a great time to learn new life skills!  Cooking, organizing, cleaning, mowing the lawn, and household shopping are skills that are made for slower summer days.

4. Explore. Sometimes school-year schedules are so jammed that a longed-for hobby or project simply has to take the back burner.  Was there a time this year when your child said, “Mom, I’d really like to ______.”  Maybe it was to learn an instrument, take up ballet or improve drawing skills.  Brainstorm with your child to create opportunities to explore this summer.

And Mom, what about YOU?  Are there things you have set aside due to busy-ness?  Is it reading a big, fat novel, or finishing a craft project?  It might be something as simple as getting your nails done.  Slow down as much as you can, pamper yourself and your family and savor these sweet days of summer.