Summer break increases margin and lightheartedness in our home (and we can always use more of both of those!)

I want to share a few rhythms and activities we are particularly enjoying or focusing on this summer (besides the obvious ones like sleeping in and going to the pool, which do spark much joy!). These are all simple and cheap, and it’s purposefully a short list, because we are trying to slow down our schedules!

• Jesse and I each taking kids separately on 1-on-1 dates. We have done this off and on throughout the years, but summer provides margin to squeeze more in. They’re pretty simple- a walk down the street for mango juice, a motorcycle ride with Dad to a coffeeshop, or just doing some art at home!
• Scripture memory. We are all using the Fighter Verses app, and paying the kids $50 at the end of summer if they can recite all their weekly verses.
• I (Shanee) am prioritizing a weekly “mini spiritual retreat” this summer, and it has been extremely beneficial. I spend 3 hours or so alone (at a single friend’s house or in a coffeeshop) purely to pursue the Presence of God. I think this will be my favorite thing of all summer!
• Buckling down on chores for the kids, with an emphasis on them taking responsibility for their chores (without us reminding them). We have 3 categories of house chores (laundry, kitchen, cat litter, bathrooms, etc), and each kid is responsible for one category each week, and it rotates. No screen time until chores are done!
• Family read-alouds. We do these year-round, but again, summer provides margin to spend more time on this, and we all love getting into a good book! Currently loving Jefferson’s Sons by Bradley.
• Various fun activities to give the kids things to focus on (various sports clubs, photography, youtube channel, sleepovers, cooking, etc.).

I hope this stirs up helpful ideas for your family, and would love to hear what you’re doing!