Even though this summer will be quite different from those in the past, due mostly to the pandemic, I still
want to make memories and enjoy fun times and adventures with my family and friends.
So, our family was “on the fence” if planning a family vacation to the beach was even something
we should do this year.
With everything so “up in the air” with COVID, does it even make sense to try to book something? What
if there is another shelter in place order? What if we can’t travel? Is it really even safe right now?
As much as I would like to tell you that I have it all figured out, the truth is, I don’t.
But, what we did decide, as a family, is that we needed to get away.
We need to go to our favorite summer “happy place” – the beach.
We miss the smell of salt air, the feel of the sand and the sound of the crashing waves.
We miss it!
And we need some family time to reconnect in a different environment; an environment that we love;
one that’s good for our souls.
Our state of North Carolina has moved to Phase 2 of opening back up and we are allowed to travel so,
we will be cautious, and we will go. We’re excited!
After the beach vacation was planned, I started mapping out how I wanted the remainder of the
summer to play out.
I want this to be a summer of fun, discoveries and new revelations.
What do you hope to accomplish this summer?
Think about focusing on each of the important areas of life: your family relationships, health, and psychological
well-being.
Review these ideas to help you develop a three-pronged summertime action plan:
Family Relationships
1.Target times for family fun. Using a calendar, devise a plan to spend more time
together on evenings and weekends. Be specific in your plan. For example:
- Monday evenings are for watching your 4-year-old’s piano lesson.
- Wednesday evenings are for family walks with the dogs.
- Friday nights are for kid-selected movies and a dinner you cook together.
- Every Saturday afternoon the family goes out for lunch.
2. Discuss a family vacation with your kids and partner. As a family, brainstorm a
list of possible vacation sites. Depending on finances, the adults can decide on
some affordable final choices and then everyone in the family can vote.
- Once you select a destination, start making arrangements immediately.
- Strive to have every family member involved in the vacation planning
process. For instance, your 12-year-old can research the destination on
the Internet. - Discuss the destination as a family and then ask each child one activity
they want to do during the vacation.
3. Complete a project together. Do a home improvement project together. It may
be cleaning up the yard or laying tile in the bathroom. Maybe it’s painting the
kitchen walls. Find a job for each family member.
You’ll enhance family relationships while teaching kids the relevance of hard work and cooperation.
Health
1. Develop a plan of healthy physical self-development. Consider what you’d like
to change about yourself physically. Write down your plan and refer to it to
inspire you.
2. Build up your strength. For example, maybe you want to tone and strengthen
your legs. Think about taking dance lessons, going for a jog four times a week (and don’t forget to take
the dog) or working out with leg weights and a personal trainer.
When you focus on a specific body part for one or two months, you’ll be
amazed at the progress you’ll make.
3. Concentrate on nutrition. Establish three simple ways you’ll increase your
positive nutritional intake this summer. Perhaps you’ve realized that you’ve
been overeating sugary foods. Try to cut down on those sweets or replace them
with healthier choices like fruit.
- Focus on getting important vitamins and minerals to increase wellness.
- You could start taking a multiple vitamin daily.
- Or you could have two vegetable snacks a day, plus two at lunch, and two
at dinner.
4. Do something you’ve always wanted to do, like taking a fitness class. Maybe
you’ve wanted to take boxing lessons for years, but you’ve had trouble finding
time. If health clubs have not yet re-opened in your area, maybe you can find some lessons on-line.
Getting in shape and building your physical health will also increase your
emotional stamina in the process.
Psychological Well-Being
1. Read one self-help book each month. If finding reading time is a challenge, try
reading later in the evening after the kids are in bed.
2.Work on developing that one character trait you desire. Maybe you want to
be more patient or be altruistic. Summer is a perfect time to start volunteering in your community.
Perhaps spending time helping at the local animal shelter or offering to take an elderly shut-in’s dog for
a walk or to the groomer or vet.
It can actually be invigorating to develop a specific plan for the goals you want to
achieve this summer. Impact your family relationships in a positive way by including a
family aspect to your plan. In terms of your health, focus on making some positive
personal changes.
Increasing your psychological well-being is a healthy and wise thing to do, regardless
of the season. When you set up a summertime plan in advance, you’ll see how
productive those summer months can be.
Even though this summer will most likely look very different for us, we can still create one to remember.
Start mapping out what you want your summer to look like.
If you need a few fun ideas to get the creative juices flowing, check these out:
Digital eBook Workbook Manual for Dog Owners that comes with a FREE CARD GAME. Easy to download and organize your busy modern life in a very pleasant way, turning this into a family activity!
Digital Resources for Fun Family Activities with items you already have around your home. Endless hours of fun and entertainment for the entire family. Inexpensive ideas for learning, entertainment and bringing the family together.
Let me know your summer plans. I would love to hear!
So that’s all I got for now.
I hope you are feeling inspired to map out a summer to remember!
’til next time,
