How To Encourage Your Kids to Give a Piece of their Summer Away

Summer is for fun and rest and vacations and adventures! Sometimes there are days that simply seem endless. 

It's easy to get caught up in "what are we going to do?" and "planning our next adventure."

Although there is NOTHING wrong with fun and relaxation, summer is is a great time to encourage kids to think about others. To give some of that extra time away. To give up a piece of their summer. To use their unique talents, gifts and abilities to help someone in need. To put a smile on someone else's face. 

Isn't it amazing how awesome it feels when we invest in someone else?! Did you know its statistically proven that those who volunteer are 42% more likely to be happy than non-volunteers? (source)

Here are some ideas to get started:

:: Visit someone who is lonely and needs some company.

:: Help an elderly neighbor with shopping, cleaning, or yard work.

:: Serve at a local shelter/soup kitchen. 

:: Raise $$ for a charity by having a garage sale, bake sale, lemonade  
   stand or by letting your kids sell any creative items they can make.

:: Take dinner to a family who is struggling, who have experienced a 

    tragedy or have a new baby at home. 

:: Take cards or cookies for someone who needs some encouragement.

The list can go on and on. You and your family know the needs in your particular community and circle of influence. You also know best the ways that you can serve.  

Give a piece of your summer away!!!

Push the Reset Button

Summer.  New routines, no routines, sleepy, hard working, playful, fun and free summer.  If there is ever a time to push the reset button and start fresh it's summer.  Kids are out of school and families have more time together. Routines have changed and there seems like endless time for nothing.  


During the school year, in the midst of packed schedules, long school days, endless homework and after school activities, priorities can get out of balance. It's easy for many important things that may have gotten caught in the crazy cycle.  

What better time to slow down and work on relationships and refocus some priorities. Here are a few ideas:



*  Make time for family dinners again.
    -Families who eat dinner together 3 or more nights a week have children 
     who engage in drugs, alcohol and other risky behaviors significantly less 
     (more than half). (source)

*  Unplug for a day - or a week!
    -91% of teens who start using media at age 11-12 will have sex before they 
    are out of high school. 

*  Do a service project or help someone in need, as a family.


*  Focus on family health - getting more rest and eating better.
   - More than 70% of physical health and mood issues stem from the gut.  
     Eating a healthy diet helping to care your teen's heath could improve many 
     issues. 

*  Try a new sport or activity together.

*  Plan a "stay cation" if your family is not going out of town together. 

*  Have long (maybe awkward) talks about how everyone is really doing.   

How do you plan to RESET this summer?

Do Some Investing This Summer

photo source

Many parents count down the last days of school as they wait for the opportunity to spend some extra time with their kids during the summer.  Some parents may also count down the days until school starts again.

Regardless of which group you fit into, most kids are home an extra 35 +/- hours a week during the summer.  That's a whole lot of extra time at home.

Although summer break is nearly half over, it's not to late to be intentional about spending quality and quantity time with your kids.  Obviously, not everyone has ample vacation days or funds to spend on their kids during the summer.  However, spending quality time with your kids doing simple activities will create special memories that will last a lifetime.

Parents don't have to clean out their bank accounts to make special memories with their kids.  There are so many activities that are free or cost very little.  Here are a few ideas:

:: Camp outside under the stars - even if it's in your backyard. 
:: Grab a fishing pole and head to a pond or lake.
:: What sport/activity does your child enjoy?  Do it with him/her.
:: Cook a meal together.
:: Have lunch or dinner at a local park or lake. 
:: Check out free local outdoor activities in your community. 
:: Been to the zoo lately? 
:: Go unplugged - play some board games, card games or "pictionary".
:: What kind of nature does your community offer?  Go for a hike, spend time at the lake, or do  
   some rock climbing or head out on the bike trails.
:: Teach them a new skill.  Do you know how to change a tire? Do laundry? Cook? Mow the
    lawn? Sew? Play an instrument? Paint a portrait? Fix something? Take quality photos?
:: Give back - serve at a local soup kitchen or lend a hand to some elderly neighbors.

Time is a priceless commodity.  When you invest it in your children, the returns are plentiful.