Yes to Summer

Written By Leah Niehaus

🌟Weekly Inspiration🌟

Monthly Theme: Permission to Pause

CONGRATS TO ALL THE GRADUATES!! Congrats to all of the families who loved them and encouraged them along the way ❤️. Huge accomplishment. These kids are resilient, smart, and strong. They lived through middle school during COVID, suffered profound emotional and academic losses, and persevered. Bravo!!!

Some kids are approaching finals and some are already off for summer—either way, all families are close to a much-needed break (unless they are taking summer school—don't get me started on how I feel about summer school for kids!). Summer always goes too fast. I want you to spend a few thoughtful moments thinking about what you would like for yourself and your family this summer. I want you to dream up what a slower pace would look like for your family. Jot down some ideas and ask your kids what they are hoping for this summer. When our kids were young, we'd have a Summer Bucket List posted in the kitchen—and it was so exciting to cross things off the list.

Ideas:

  • More time in nature

  • Sleeping in

  • Playing hooky from work, practice, or daily duties

  • Movie marathon

  • Dining alfresco

  • A tech-free challenge of some sort

  • Travel—near and far

  • Staying up late

  • Breakfast for dinner

  • Water—pool, beach, lake, river

  • Unstructured play of all kinds

  • Watching the sunset

  • Stargazing

  • Service to others

Take a breath and feel the difference in your body when you consider slowing down. When you consider slowing down for your kids. When you consider doing less and enjoying more—getting grounded, being more playful and light. When you bask in the sunshine without an agenda. It really is a beautiful life, even with all its challenges—how can you say "yes" to summer?

Ask Yourself:

What does my ideal summer actually look like—and how close am I to making that happen?
What does my child need most this summer? Rest? Adventure? Connection? Unstructured time?
What is one thing I can take off the schedule this summer to create more breathing room?
Am I modeling rest and play for my kids—or am I modeling hustle and busyness even in the summer months?
What would I put on my own Summer Bucket List if I gave myself permission to dream a little?
What does "slow" feel like in my body—and when was the last time I felt it?

Be Well. ❤️

Leah Niehaus
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Rest is Not Laziness