Cut Back

Those of you who have children and work part-time or full-time may have experienced a negative reaction to my last post about the magical summertime because it's not practical or reasonable for you. Well, I understand! Afterall, I've been a super busy parent for most of my parenting life and I know how challenging it can be!

Being realistic about how much you can really do each weekend will help you gain more joy about what you plan for yourself and your family. Cutting back on some of your family’s extracurricular activities can help you create a more relaxed atmosphere. For example, arranging 3 or 4 outings over the course of a weekend may leave everyone cranky and exhausted, but plan just 1 and you might really be able to enjoy that more! Planning too much in the evening and on the weekends, cramming too much into family vacations, may leave everyone feeling rushed and frantic.

So, if at all possible, leave some unscheduled and unstructured time this summer so that you can take advantage of what occurs spontaneously. Leave some time to Each your children to do whatever they want—even if it appears that they are choosing to do nothing at all. It's not really wasted time, although it may certainly appear that way! Children will be more resourceful, self-sufficient and independent if they have more opportunities to do so.

My 2 children have done so much more together when I forced them to turn off all screens in the house (the TV, computer, laptop, Playstation, and Nintendo DS). They played with the sprinkler, made some beautiful pictures, played some board games, and begged me to let them set-up a lemonade stand (although we live at the end of a super quiet culdesac!). They get so much more creative with how to spend their time when they need to entertain themselves.

Striking a balance between their unstructured time and planned activities may help everyone in the family be happier and more content. Time to relax, talk, read, have a catch, or go for a walk together is important, too! Take some quiet moments to reminisce about the simple summertime activities that brought you pleasure when you were a child. And, perhaps they can become family traditions that you share with your own children and one day, with your grandchildren.

Yours truly,

Coach Natalie

Summertime Magic in your Super Busy Life

Summertime is in full swing and I am admittedly having difficulty sticking to a schedule or focusing on doing work. Although I enjoy my work immensely, I am so distracted by the kids being home and their seemingly carefree attitudes. And, perhaps my childhood memories of long summer days spent at the community swimming pool, traveling with my brothers and parents on family vacations, going to the beach and amusement parks, and playing outside with my cousins all day long at the playground just down the hill, have forever been etched into my memory and triggered my urge to slow down the pace and enjoy the simple pleasures of life. Or, perhaps a successful business year and the belief that I will have more opportunities for speaking and coaching in the fall so I don't have to push so hard this summer....I can trust that the opportunities will be there when I am ready for them.

So, I've cut back my client appointment hours and work my unscheduled time when I have the urge to. Like right now, it's too hot to be outside and I'm too exhausted to go anywhere because we've spent the last few days running around to the amusement park, water park, the beach, and visiting friends. I'm going with the summertime flow and I hope that you and your children might have the opportunity to do some of the same. I know it's hard to slow down your super busy life with a busy work schedule, deadlines, and other responsibilities tugging for your time and attention, but too soon, summer will be over, fall will arrive, and the back-to-school activities will take priority. Summertime magic will be over before you know it, if you're not careful to enjoy the time while it's here!

According to Patti Teel, author of "The Floppy Sleep Game Book" who is dubbed The Dream Maker by People magazine, "...unexpected, delightful events are part of the fun and wonder of the summer. But if our children's days are overscheduled, they are likely to miss these unexpected delights and so will we, as we frenetically drive from one activity to the next. Even though your intentions may be good, avoid being overzealous about providing structured activities for your children. Be sure not to fill all your children's time with lessons, summer camp, team sports, or other organized events. By eliminating the summer activities that are not particularly enjoyable or important to your child, you are likely to find the time and space to enjoy the surprises of the day as they arise. Even the smallest events can be exciting to children, and it is a wonderful gift to be able to see the world through their eyes. If you unexpectedly see a beautiful butterfly, follow it with your child. If you make a wrong turn while driving, see where it takes you. If your son or daughter wants to have a last-minute lemonade stand, go for it. Enjoy the effortless flow of summertime."

Happy Summer!

Coach Natalie