This post was inspired by my partner, Lipton.
My wife and I were talking about the 5 things parents forget during summer break. We are always hearing parents say that they “can’t wait for school to start back.” Or that they “don’t know how to keep the kids busy” so we were talking about how parents just forget certain things.
Here are the 5 things parents forget during summer break:
1- How to have their tea-moments.
We call our “laid back moments” our tea-moments. We got the idea from Lipton iced tea. I love to drink Lipton iced tea (I love the Lipton K-Cups that I can use in my Keurig. They are 5% off at Target right now with the Cartwheel App). These tea-moments are those moments when you just sit back and relax. Stop everything and just enjoy the moment. Whatever it may be- watching the kids put on a play, reading a book, sitting and talking. Just stop worrying, stressing, working, cleaning… and give yourself twenty minutes (and a glass of tea) to enjoy a tea-moment.
2- How to act like a child.
When we the last time that you went swimming and pretended to be a shark while the kids tried to swim away? Played Marco-Pollo in the water? Try it again- its refreshing to act like a kid again!
3- Fly by the seat of your pants.
Have a no-plans day. If the kids want to take a bike-ride at lunchtime, go for it. Have lunch when you get back and give them a little snack to hold them over. Just try to be more spontaneous in the summer. We still have our bedtime at 7 and we still have our school time in the summer, but the day-to-day plans are more laid back and the kids love it!
4- Don’t overpack to go out. (It adds stress)
This is one that I have trouble with myself. When we go boating or swimming for the day, I’m the one that wants to pack snacks, extra clothes, toys, goggles, towels, extra towels.
My wife just says “Hey, guys- lets go to the pool. Grab what you need and meet me in the car in five minutes!” If they forget their goggles, they will still have fun. She doesn’t take snacks because it adds extra stress, so the kids know that if they are going with her, they will not be eating until they get back. It is more of a minimalist way to go about things, but it makes it easier and the kids don’t notice one way or the other.
5- Spend quality time with your kids
Grab a glass of your tea from the Lipton K-Cups and head outside to the back porch. Ask your kids to join you. Ask them about their day, what animal is their favorite, which sport they like best, what they are nervous & excited about for the next school year. Just talk to them. More importantly – just listen to them.
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