My Summer Survival Guide

Summer is in full swing.  Were you ready? 

Just when I thought wrapping up the school year was the most chaotic time, summer started.  As wonderful as this season is, it comes with a handful of unique challenges, responsibilities and stressors.  When you have kids, summer means filling up two months with activities, friends, sports, hikes, family reunions, trips, and on it goes.  Even though we call it summer break, sometimes it feels like there is no break in sight.  Don’t get me wrong, I love seeing my kids get the most out of summer and release all that pent-up energy from the pressures of the school year – but summer also means long days, less time to yourself, and many more opportunities to butt heads with the ones you love.

So how do you thrive in the summer crazy while preparing for the next season? 

The Discipline of Training & Fueling Yourself

First, I believe that now more than ever we need to take care of ourselves first.  I know, you probably don’t feel like you have time or energy for this, but I believe that we don’t have the time or energy not too.  If we don’t want to be cranky, exhausted mamas who just barely make it through the summer, we need to start with taking care of ourselves.  For me this means sticking to my morning routine (as much as possible) through the summer.  This routine encompasses caring for my spirit, mind and body, almost all prior to the kids waking up each day.

Think of summer morning routines this way: unless you are the exception, you wouldn’t wake up one day and just decide to run a marathon, would you?  You would probably do the opposite.  Watching my friends train for these, I see how much routine and discipline is required.  A runner will schedule workouts, be conscious about fueling their bodies, and practice mind techniques to push through the walls they might hit on those long runs.  So, although you might not be training for a physical marathon, life (summer included) IS a race.  Knowing myself, without a disciplined routine of preparation, focus and fueling, I would unintentionally start my day with activities that set me up for failure – like too much sleep.  Don’t get me wrong, I love that I don’t have to set my alarm clock for the same time as the school year, but I do still set it.  Without this discipline I end up exhausted, with nothing to give my family, and end up missing out on all the fun times that make the summer so special.  By making time to ensure proper training and fueling for life, especially the crazy busy moments, we will all be more successful in both the running and recovery of the race to the end of summer and into the school year.

An Attitude of Gratitude

As a mama, it doesn’t take much to see when my kids have an attitude problem.  It takes many different forms from whining and complaining, to a lack of care for the things that we as a family own, to the type of words they choose to use.  But what about our attitude?  Know that when we have a bad attitude, others, especially our kids, will see that as well.  As I read my bible, I am struck with the importance of our words;

“The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” Proverbs 12:18-19

I want to speak words of love and wisdom to my children, words that show how thankful I am for them, for the beautiful sunshine and beaches, words that lift up and encourage.  But summer can be a fun kind of crazy and if I’m not reading my bible, am overtired, unexercised, not eating healthy, etc. my words are not reflective of this.

So how do we have a good attitude amid the crazy? 

We can choose to set our minds on what we’re thankful for rather than what we are lacking.  Have you ever tried to be thankful and have a bad attitude at the same time?  It’s near impossible because it moves us from being self-centered to others-centered.  When we express thankfulness or appreciation of something it’s much more difficult to complain after.  Instead of seeing ourselves as a victim we start to see ourselves as blessed, a shift in perspective that can be life changing.  By focusing on what we are thankful for, somehow the other things in life that are taxing us seem to fade in their difficulty.

So, as part of my morning routine, I have committed to journaling or praying about three things I am thankful for.  And in that quiet sunshine in the morning, I also like to read a Psalm, since King David definitely did not tie his thankfulness to only positive circumstances, but rather he was thankful in all circumstances, even when he was running for his life.  As a family we also practice saying three things we are thankful for at dinner several times a week, even if we have guests (expected or unexpected).  So, if you’re having dinner at the Douglas house, come prepared with what you are thankful for.

By starting our days off right and fueling ourselves, choosing to have an attitude of thankfulness and living in Joy, this season might just be one of your best yet.  A time when not only your husband and kids are energized, but you also walk into the next season refreshed, invigorated, and with so many beautiful new memories.