Hey there, fellow adventurers! It’s Diana, back in the saddle after a glorious two weeks of pure, unadulterated family time at our Maine lake house. Five boys, endless sunshine, questionable outdoor bathroom techniques, and enough laughter to power a small town – it was everything I needed and more.
Now, before you envision a picture-perfect postcard of idyllic family bliss, let me assure you – there were meltdowns, muddy knees, and enough sunscreen to stock a beach resort. But amidst the chaos, something truly magical happened: we reconnected.
As a working mom with a thriving consulting business (EverGrove, LLC: LinkedIn for those keeping track!), carving out dedicated family time during the school year can feel like a constant juggling act. But summer? Summer is a glorious opportunity to hit the pause button, ditch the schedules, and simply be present with the people who matter most.
Here’s the thing: while building a successful business is incredibly rewarding, there’s nothing quite like the messy, joyful chaos of creating memories with your kids. As they grow older (and taller, oh how they grow!), the precious window of pure, unadulterated family time can shrink alarmingly. That’s why I’m a firm believer in squeezing every last drop out of those carefree summer months.
Now, I know some of you might be thinking, “Easy for you to say, Diana. My summers are already jam-packed with work deadlines and soccer camps!” And to that, I say – Amen! Summer can definitely feel like a whirlwind. But here’s the thing: it’s not about creating some Pinterest-perfect vacation or spending a fortune on fancy activities. It’s about prioritizing experiences over stuff, and building those unbreakable bonds that will stay with your kids long after the summer tan fades.
Here are some of my favorite ways to embrace the summer family time philosophy:
1. Adventure Awaits: Embrace the Unexpected!
Embrace spontaneity! Turn a trip to the grocery store into a scavenger hunt. Build a backyard fort out of old blankets and chairs. Plan a sunset picnic in the park. The best memories are often the unplanned ones, the ones that erupt in fits of giggles and stories that will be retold for years to come.
2. Bring the Crew!
Summer is all about togetherness. Don’t let solo trips with the kids become the norm. Plan activities that include your partner, grandparents, aunts, uncles, whoever makes your crew complete. These connections create a sense of belonging and forge lasting memories for everyone involved. My boys, for instance, one of their best friends from Florida joined us for a few days in Maine full of lake shenanigans. The more the merrier, right?
3. Ditch the Screens, Embrace the Scenes!
Summer is a time to unplug and reconnect with the real world. Limit screen time and get outside! Explore your neighborhood, hike a local trail, or simply lounge in the backyard and watch the clouds drift by. Nature offers the most amazing playground, and the best part? It’s completely free.
4. Focus on the People, Not the Possessions!
Resist the urge to over-schedule your kids with endless activities and camps. Summer is a chance for them to be kids! Let them get bored, let them explore, let them reconnect with their imaginations. Instead of focusing on material things, focus on creating priceless moments with the people they love most. The memories you build together will be worth far more than any fleeting toy craze.
5. Embrace the Messy Magic!
Summer isn’t always picture-perfect days and perfectly groomed lawns. There will be sibling arguments, scraped knees, and enough sand in unexpected places to make your head spin. But these are the very moments that make childhood so precious! Embrace the mess, laugh it off, and focus on the joy that comes with simply being present with your crew.
I know, I know. Running a business, managing a household, keeping five boys alive and (mostly) thriving – it’s enough to make anyone’ head spin. But trust me, those stolen moments of summer fun, those impromptu adventures, those nights spent under a star-filled sky – they’re the moments you’ll cherish most when the kids are grown and flown. They’re the moments that build those unbreakable bonds, the ones that shape who they are and what they value.
So, this summer, take a deep breath, unplug a little, and reconnect with your crew. The memories you create will be far more valuable than any business deal or perfectly curated social media post. Because at the end of the