Yesterday we had a fun family party celebrating Christmas in July. The kids had a *blast*! It was so nice to see them playing with all their cousins, and it certainly tired them out. I love family parties when we all get together!
Needless to say, none of my kids got a nap during the craziness of the day, and some days are like that. They had fun so it was okay. However, these crazy days have a ripple effect on kids as young as mine. If they miss their nap then they get overtired. If they get overtired then they fight sleep. If they fight sleep then they don’t get to sleep early. If they don’t get to sleep early they don’t get a good night of sleep. You know how it goes.
That is why usually the day after fun gatherings like our family parties, my kids get much-needed down days. But to be honest-a lot of our summer days are spent as “down days”.
I’m usually in the minority when I tell people that my kids don’t do a whole lot in the summertime. I see people posting these great vacations with their kids, traveling on planes, day in and day out heading to one place or another. And it’s great! I love that some parents tackle traveling with their young ones. I am not that parent, though.
In my opinion, kids-especially young kids-benefit from slow summer days. Kids have their whole adult lives to be hurry-scurrying and racing around from place to place. Why not soak up the slow days of rest and creativity at home now?
My kids are not bored by any means! They have just as much fun playing with the sprinkler as they would flying on an airplane, and bonus they get their rest during these days, too. Sleep is an important part of functioning, especially when it comes to kids. I think in the days of social media people forgot that. They forgot the simple joys of running through the sprinkler, then eating ice pops outside, napping for a little and heading back out to play on the swings.
Nowadays, you see people posting on Facebook or Instagram about these grand vacations and you feel like you’re not doing enough; that you should be able to take your kids for those experiences, too. But what about the experience of playtime with siblings, of community, of relaxing summer days?
I remember my summer days growing up and remember the majority of my summers spent at home, either at the pool or riding my bike around the neighborhood with my friends. I miss those days. I aim for my kids to have that lazy summer, too. Days when they will eventually roll out of bed, go to the pool or ride bikes around the neighborhood with friends. Come home for dinner and hang out with family, catching fireflies or sitting around the fire pit.
Vacations will happen, and busy days will happen, but I aim to bring back the idea of a slow summer. Everyone needs a break during the summertime. Kids have their whole adult lives to jump from one place to another, so I want my kids to enjoy their summers while they can. To grow up slowly with lots of relaxation each day, but somehow packed with fun. Let’s bring that back. Our world could use a little reset right now anyway.
