Making Time Matter

​Last week, I saw a picture on social media of a friend's son proudly holding a fish he caught on his kid-sized fishing pole.  I was immediately sad and guilty.  Strange reaction to an adorable picture, right?  I felt that way because back in May, when I asked my youngest son what he wanted to do this summer, "going fishing" was on the top of his list, and he reminded me that it was also on the top of his summer list last year - and we still hadn't gone.  I realized that summer was going so fast! I wanted to provide my kids the kind of summer memories I had as a child, and I was not measuring up to my own expectations.  Then I started thinking about how quickly my kids' childhoods were flying by and then made the mistake of counting how many more summers both of my kids would be at home and estimating how many of those that they'd want to spend the majority of their time with their parents.  I was literally welling up with tears at these thoughts!

"I wanted to provide my kids the kind of summer memories I had as a child, and I was not measuring up to my own expectations."

I gave myself a few hours to feel upset and sad, but then I decided this was something I could easily change!  I decided we were going fishing this week, and I was going to plan some fun and engaging activities together.  I have my kids make a "what I want to do this summer" list every year, and this year I'd been doing so much, I was tired every evening and was content to just watch TV together.  Yes, we were together, but I was often working on something else at the same time, and we certainly weren't checking things off that list!  I'd probably be less tired if I were more active, and I had no doubt that I'd be happier while making memories with my kids.  This week was dramatically different!

Here was a snapshot of our evenings this week.  It was a blast!

Monday
Scouts for oldest and Dad, 1.5 mile nature scavenger hunt for youngest and Mom.  My son has been talking about the hawk we saw up close all week!  I loved seeing him get excited about finding things on our list and especially enjoyed watching him chase a butterfly.
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​Tuesday
Video shoot of both boys making trick shots into a hamper (appropriately called the Slam Dunk Hamper,) This was a fun way to involve the kids in my Clever Container Organizing Products business, 

Wednesday
The entire family walked/rode scooters to the park and played HORSE and played a game of 2 on 2.  I'm just about as good as I was when I played eighth grade basketball - I'll leave it at that!

Thursday
Dad had to work late, so Mom took both boys to the State Park for a picnic, a hike, and FISHING!  Even though we didn't catch anything, both boys loved it, and I felt like Super Mom while baiting their hooks.

​Friday
Mom and kids went to a concert (Toby Mac - it was awesome!)

Saturday
Dad took kids to a movie during the afternoon, and then the whole family went back to the State Park for a picnic and more fishing in the evening.  Still no fish for the kids, but they want to try again soon.

Sunday
After church, Mom and youngest went to the beach while Dad and oldest got groceries (thank goodness - our cupboards were BARE!)  and then we all watched TV in the evening.  The beach makes me TIRED!

This week was so much fun, but a little tiring and the housework definitely got pushed to the back burner!  I learned a few things:

• We don't have to spend much money to have fun
• Being outside together is fun
• Being active is rewarding (I'm meeting my step goals!)
• It's fun to check things off the kids' summer lists - letting kids pick some of the things we do makes them more engaged.  
• Brand new experiences make great memories.
• I think a night or two "off" would probably be ideal so we don't get tired and my house doesn't turn into a disaster zone.
•  Less screen time equals better attitudes for everyone!

Sources:
Photo by Alessandro La Becca on Unsplash