Summer is here and we are in the midst of the months where the weather has shifted and we can celebrate the sunniest time of year. What often happens for parents during the summer months is often that it can feel difficult to balance work and family time while keeping everyone entertained. It is also usually full of big decisions around camps, trips and even considering how to keep the house clean. To maximize your joy, center some focus around finances and organizational skills this summer. Read more for how to do that and still have fun!
Here are some tips for parents on how to stay social and still focused this summer through doing what makes you truly HAPPY.
With countless options for summer camps, travel plans and social activities – it can be overwhelming, stressful and VERY pricey to create the ideal summer plans for the whole fam. One of the most simple things we can do this summer is remember to CHOOSE things that truly bring JOY to our lives.
Many parents who are working share they want to spend more quality time with their family during the summer and yet can be difficult to schedule time – this is your reminder— TAKE the time off and plan some fun activities with the people you love most. It will be well worth it in the long haul.
As for travel plans, we are blessed to live in the coast of northern California where there are beaches for hundreds of miles either direction and nearby mountains, even theme parks are just a drive away.
Take some time today, even if your whole summer is already mapped out -( hi my type A friends 🙂 and check in – what are you doing this summer that fuels your JOY and fills your bucket. Make a list of all of the activities you would enjoy and choose a few to sprinkle in. Especially if they are related to self-care !
A recent article was released studying what parents often REGRET once their kids grow up and you might make some different decisions considering these important life lessons many parents say they wish the knew sooner!
A messy house is OK – If you are choosing between the dishes and spending time playing a game with your kid – let the dishes sit till tomorrow.
This was one of the biggest regrets from parents as they looked back. I know it’s hard to choose and as parents we are constantly choosing and making decisions for multiple people so just ask yourself sometimes if you can play more instead of clean. Or better yet – make cleaning into a game for the whole family!
Don’t work so hard – work will always be there but these moments you spend with your family are changing every second *literally so make the most and see if there are ways you can pull back a bit of work this summer to have some fun (free activities below)
Quit worrying – one of the biggest regrets across the board is parents wishing they didn’t worry so much about so many things (eating the right foods, making enough money, keeping the house clean, being the perfect parent, the list goes on and on…)
If you find yourself in the loop of perfection – see if you can challenge yourself this summer to LET GO. Need some tools? Reach out to me on IG @jaimemcfaden
Here are also some of the top favorites when asking many parents locally and guess what— they are FREE:
Create a campout vibe in someone’s yard – or even the beach and teach your kids (or even yourself) how to pitch a tent and celebrate being outdoors
Choose a hike you haven’t tried yet and pack a picnic and your family – Big Sur has a number of great hikes and if you want to stay close check out Land of Buddha Medicine trail
Volunteer at a local farm – did you know there are many local farms (some even with baby goats) that you can volunteer at?
Then there is always Capitola and SC music in the square activities ongoing and twilight movies to check out
Check out the free admission museums and activities that you probably have walked by a bunch of times. Make it into an adventure!
Local art events – there are always local art events that you can check out and often meet some of the artists
Santa Cruz is one of the best places to check out all sorts of wildlife from butterflies to dolphins and whales. Take some time to soak it all in
Most of all, make the moments count. These days may seem long at times with our children yet as we notice as they grow – time really does fly by. Before you know it your kids will be grown up and you will look back on times like these and my hope is this will remind you to cherish life as it is NOW.
Wishing you a blessed June and here is to a summer of being intentional and having fun doing things that bring us joy and closer to our family.
Jaime McFadden is the #1 Best Selling Author of “Waves of Self-Care: It Takes a Village” jaimemcfaden.com
