“I’ll refresh tired bodies; I’ll restore tired souls,” (Jeremiah 31:25, MSG).
My kids wrote a summer bucket list. It’s filled with fun and educational activities—gymnastics class, library reading club, play dates, the zoo. Most days, we check at least one item off the list.
Some days, we don’t.
And those are the days I hear the voice. You know her. I’ll bet she lives in your head, too.
“You’re wasting your summer,” the voice whispers. “Shouldn’t you be planning some Pinterest-worthy craft or taking your kids on a scavenger hunt or something? Really, my dear, just look at them over there, lounging in the living room watching Sprout and eating popsicles. Don’t you have anything better to do?”
I peeked at my girls snuggled in front of the TV, laughing, slurping and dripping blue Freeze Pop juice on the carpet, and I realized—no. We do not have anything better to do. Not today.
This is what summer is about.
Freedom.
For nine months, school laid siege to our household. The academic schedule dictated everything, from wake-up calls to bedtimes and all activity in between. By the time June finally arrived, we desperately needed a break.
So I won’t feel guilty for taking it.
Structure is good for kids, yes. I orchestrate enough summer activities to keep my daughters occupied and learning, and you probably do, too. But when did we start believing that down time is less valuable? Sometimes my girls just want to run barefoot in the yard and squish toes in the sandbox. They want to build forts and play house and mix mud pies. They want the security of home, knowing I’m here watching over them without taking over every hour of their day.
So I’ve decided it’s okay to spend a morning cleaning house while my kids play make-believe grocery store in their pajamas until noon. It’s okay to sit on a patio chair reading while they practice cartwheels in the grass. It’s okay to have nowhere to go and nobody to see and nothing impressive to post on Facebook, because an open day is a gift to unwrap and explore. We all know that when September comes, those gifts will hide away. Let’s grab them while we can.
Rest. Restore. Enjoy.
You’re not wasting your summer. You’re making the most of it.
Last night, after I tucked the girls in bed, I climbed over two heaping laundry baskets to reach the sofa. My husband slid a disc into our Blu-Ray player and grabbed the remote. Then I heard the voice again.
“Shouldn’t you fold those towels?”
This time, I answered.
“Zip it, lady. I’m watching a movie. You’re not welcome here anymore.”
Linking up with: The Better Mom, Playdates With God, Momma Notes, Titus 2sdays, Grace at Home, Wedded Wednesday, Thriving Thursdays and Things I Can’t Say.
“You’re not wasting your summer. You’re making the most of it.”
That’s how I want to treat my summer too, but it’s so hard to let go of my to-do list. 🙁 Thanks for the encouragement to remember “freedom.”
I agree, Lisa, that to-do list howls loud in my ears, too. But I’m determined to tune it out when down time is what we really need most. Thanks for reading!
It’s so true, Becky. Sometimes we think we must be involved in an activity to be doing something of value. And it’s not just in the summer. I think this applies to all ages and stages of life. In fact, I think we overlook the value of spending time with friends. Thanks for this well-written reminder.
Amen, Gail. I really appreciate your perspective. I’m going to pocket it for every stage to come.
I spent last week with my grandkids who happily frolicked all day long in pj’s, hair uncombed, happy as clams, free as little birds … and only wish I had parented the same all those years ago.
Let’s chill, gang. Let’s chill!
Yay, Linda! Your thoughts are such a blessing to me. I want to be grandma-like more often. Thank you for the reminder to parent my kids with no regrets (as much as that is possible).
Beat back that voice, Becky! It will take over your life or at least your summer, if you don’t! Beautiful reminder that it seems many of us are struggling with this summer. Thanks so much for encouraging us in the right direction!
That voice is loud, Beth, but I’m learning to silence her. Thank you for joining me here each week with your generous encouragement!
Weird… that same voice hovers around Pella, Iowa, too. It’s definitely time for her to move west or to the North Pole… or SOMEWHERE that NO MOMS live. We’re big believers in pjs and unplanned days. Umm… maybe I should go change out of my jammies now that it’s 3:00! Love my visits here, friend. Wish we could watch movies, wear pjs, and swap stories under the same roof! Enjoy your week.
Ha ha – I confess my three-year-old refused to change out of her pajama top today, so I picked my battles and let her wear it through a play date and errands downtown. At least she had daytime shorts on. They even matched the top. 🙂 Maybe someday you and I will attend the same conference and can plan that movie and pj date, Alicia! I’d love that!
My family made a bucket list for this summer too…we have a month left and haven’t come close to finishing it. We did several things from their list this past weekend, but with two more days of my vacation left, today we pretty much just stayed home and did nothing. And it was so nice!
Sometimes the best vacation days are the ones with nothing planned, I agree!
That voice has been hanging around me as well recently. Along with some other uninvited guests. Thanks for the encouragement and reminder that taking it easy and not living to meet some unknown, over-reaching expectation is not necessary. Be blessed!
Megan
you’re such a sweet little lady, always finding value in everyday living. I admire that so much about you! I’m thankful that you have found time to enjoy and relax. I’m ripping out this page and tucking it in my pocket so when that lady tries to creep over my house I can tell her to back off! LOL
blessings to you 🙂
That’s right, Nykiah – don’t let that lady boss you around! 🙂 Always fun to hear from you.
I heard that voice. I looked at what I planned on doing and what we were doing – it didn’t match up. Then I divert my attention to what we’ve been doing – having fun, enjoying each day. I have yet to go to bed and thought we wasted the day doing _____________. Embrace the joy!
Sometimes I wonder if I “waste” the day by sticking to my to-do list. 🙂
I love summer for these reasons exactly! I love not having a schedule and to just be. Homeschooling is so time consuming the other 9 months that I wouldn’t make it through without the summer to look forward too 🙂
I can only imagine the time you have to invest September through May, Cheri. I hope you’re enjoying every day of your summer break!
Oh, I hear that voice too!
We all need days to just ‘be’ — some of my greatest ideas and projects come about when I’m doing absolutely nothing else.
Thanks for the reminder to help our children to savor our days.
(stopping by via Titus 2sday)
Thanks so much for popping over from Titus 2sday!
Thank you for this Becky, I need to restore! 🙂
It’s so good to hear from you, Ashley! I hope you and your sweet girls are having a fantastic, restful summer.
Oh – yes – PJs until noon – we need that. It’s so important to learn how to living in the Pausing moments – beautiful things happen there. So glad you put that woman who keeps bossing you around, guilting you into missing the sweet stuff – that you put her in her place!
The pausing moments, yes… I need to find them more often.
I love this! Just like we do, our kids need down time and the right to just be, well, kids!!
Amen, Krystal. Let kids be kids when they have the chance, I agree!
Yes! I totally agree! Fun is found in spontaneous moments. And we all need a little downtime.
Sometimes more than a little downtime… 🙂
Boom. You nailed it. Summers for us are also a mix of go go go and lazy lazy lazy. The most important tasks always get done- people are fed and kept alive, but there are some days we are just too busy puttering to get to anything else!
Yes, ma’am!! I’m with you all the way on this one! 🙂
Aren’t summers wonderful??!!??
Some of my crew has to do some school through the summer, but I’m taking a very relaxed approach to it…they can do it whenever they want, as long as they get it done. It’s working well.
So even though we have to combine some school with regular “life,” we’re making sure to spend as much time chillin as possible.
God is good!
Lisa
http://www.thecourageousjourney.com
So what happens when mom is still in her pajamas. New momma here. Baby slumbering. Still getting my sea legs. And yes, still wearing pajamas on some days.
Posted our momma notes tonight. A day late. But it works. So hoping you can come and join. Share your words. your encouragement. your anything mom.
Just moms. Sharing our notes. Creating a melody.
http://justsarahdawn.blogspot.com/2013/07/syllable-by-syllable.html
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