Those 5 little words can open up a whole new world.
My 4 kids are definitely creatures of habit. They love schedules, school, dance and tae kwon-do classes. It keeps them busy. They thrive on busy. I love all of that too...but sometimes mom (me, myself, I) just needs break. Yup, I need a break a real B-R-E-A-K. Screaming in my closet doesn't count, I already tried it. I know I'm not alone here. We just need a break from the everyday hustle...mentally & physically. It does a body good or a parent good and believe it or not your kids even better.
It's summertime. Sweet, sunny, blissful, carefree summertime. The time of the year when us moms & dads rejoice knowing that school is out. Extracurricular activities happening at all hours and all days of the week are on hold or happening at a slower pace or at least they should be. (If not, thy foot goes down here.) Ridiculous schedules, and timeframes are out the window...and replaced with much anticipated family vacations, fun picnics, pool time, lazier days and for some kids camp. Having unscheduled FREE time allows you to create, wonder, & dream. Although, summer is a different kind of busy...it's MY KIND of busy.
It's especially pleasant being a home educating mom. I love teaching my kids but summer break really gives me time to reconnect with myself and my kids, focus my energy on what's important, grow my organic veggies & flowers, breathe, get grounded, hang with our sweet chickens, run my biz, and organize all the stuff that gets pushed to the side throughout the year. Genuine, me time if you will. Of course, you can only have so much "Me Time" when your kids are with you 24/7 and your husband works 14+/- hour days 6/7 days a week, but you get the idea. I take what I can get.
Even though our summer days are bursting at the seam with yummy eats, sandy toes, camping adventures, butterfly chasing, farmers markets & family fun days...I still hear the occasional, "Mom, what can we do?". Say what, now??
I've been there...chore charts, cleaning rituals, exercise routines, craft days, library days, baking days, nature hunts, weeding days, laundry days....yup. But this year, I'm trying a different approach. Instead of telling them what they can do, it's all up to them. And so far it's been brilliant.
You know how good you feel when you accomplish something?
-Washing, drying, folding & actually putting away the 5 loads of laundry...Woohoo!
-Cutting both dogs hair and bathing them...YES!
-Getting up early to get your workout in before the kids get up...Winner!
-Finally, painting that beautiful mural that's been on your mind...OMG!!!
-Getting 3/4 of the way through your Invisalign treatment...Yay!!!
-Trying a out new recipe on the fly and everyone LOVES it.....Give Me More!!
-Giving up sugar & all processed junk food...Hellloooo!!
-A customer thanking you for helping them...I LOVE IT!!
-Weeding the entire garden & picking the veggies you grew...THE BEST!!
-Scrubbing all 5 toilets in record time....BAM!!
-Paying all the bills...Whew!!
Your kids should have those same feelings of accomplishment too.
I don't mean getting to the next level on those mind altering video games or blindly texting as many friends as they can in a minute. Nope.
I'm talking helpful, meaningful, creative accomplishments.
An accomplishment can be as simple as making their bed, mastering a song on the piano, sorting their clothes, planning/making dinner, taking the dog for a walk, finishing up reading that 500 page book or even more involved like building an outside fort, creating an amazing piece of art, writing a book, studying for that drivers test and yes, cleaning the entire bathroom. Let them pick. Give their minds time to decide. No matter how big or small, fun or chore-like it is, it's an accomplishment. So celebrate it as such.
I created Accomplishment Lists for my kids. Every day they have 10 things or more, (if they wish) to accomplish. Best part...instead of asking me what they can do...they chose for themselves. They have the entire day to write down 10 accomplishments. At the end of the week to celebrate all of their accomplishments they can choose meals for the family, a night at the movies, miniature golf, allowance, etc...you get the idea. It's good for them all the while showing them that hard work, creativity & effort actually pays off.
Here's to a summer filled with creative accomplishments, time for yourself and family fun.
I made a printable version of my Accomplishment Chart so you can easily print it at home for your kids too.
Happy Accomplishing,
Melissa
