I am so excited that I could bust! This is the kids’ last week of school and summer is so close I can taste it. Almost three months with all my chickadees back under my wings.
Some of you don’t share my excitement. You’ve already enrolled your children in every VBS and camp in the area desperate to keep the children entertained – and busy.
But it is the lack of busyness that I am looking forward to. It is the time for us to slow down and focus on character issues and academic goals, grow in our relationship with God, and make memories as a family, all while allowing our four children to be kids and play. All things that are very difficult to do when we are hurrying from one activity to another.
In order for this to happen, I realize I need some guidance. I need to set goals and lightly structure our day.
Summer Goals
Thinking about what God has called me to do as a mom and bringing to light the struggles we are having, the Holy Spirit led me to this verse.
I love how this verse brings out four areas of focus.
- Heart – Character or heart issues, focusing on Ephesians 4:31-32
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. - Soul – Relationships with God
- Mind – Academics
- Strength – Taking care of our bodies
Because our children are older now, I believe it very important to gather their input in creating goals for the summer. Using this verse as a guide, we discussed as a family what we want to focus on this summer and in using the verse the kids saw that these are four areas we all need to work on (even Mommy and Daddy). Below is the first draft that we created.
Then using these goals, let’s create a summer schedule.
Summer Schedule
While times are listed in this schedule, these are simply a guide to help us cover what the four areas of the verse. It is not regiment and can be changed within a moment’s notice. Also our kiddos arise very early so adjust the times as needed to fit your family.
???? – Awake and Devotionals
My goal for this summer is to help the older kids begin journaling during their personal devotions. This will consist of writing or drawing one thing they learned and copying (drawing) a verse. The older kids will use the Our Daily Bread for Kids Devotional as their guide. Peanut will look at his favorite Children’s Bibles.
7:00 – Breakfast and Contributions (Chores)
During breakfast the kids will share what they learned in their Devotions. Then they will work on the specific jobs that they do each day. Contributions include making bed, cleaning room, cleaning bathroom, picking up toys, laundry, as well as kitchen and garden help. See more ideas here.
8:30 – Learning
Each child will have specific academic areas to focus on. The learning will occur through books, worksheets, activities, Earobics or other free educational computer games. Peanut will finish the ABCJesusLovesMe 5 Year Curriculum.
Disclaimer: After nine months in school kids need a break. Thus, the learning we do during the summer will be specific to topics each child enjoys and will be much less than a typical school day.
10:00 – Creative Time & Morning Snack
We will use this time to create 4-H crafts for the fair and other creative learning, and practice musical instruments. Because we are working on showing kindness and compassion to siblings, some activities will be done in teams.
11:30 – Lunch and Cleanup
The kiddos will take turns assisting in lunch prep and setting the table. All will participate in clean up.
1:00 – Reading and Quiet Time (This is also my work time.)
Each child will spend quiet time in a separate room. While Peanut sometimes naps, the older three will use this time to read for the Summer Library challenge. Afterwards they may listen to Adventures in Odyssey or books on tape while they do crafts, play with Legos, or draw.
2:30 – Snacks and Outside Play Time
5:30 – Supper
7:00 – Family Devotions followed by bed time
Below is a rough draft of our daily schedule.
Click to grab your own free copy of the Summer Success Goals and Schedule.
For more ideas, check out the summer schedule that I shared a couple of years ago.
Our Summer Goal
Most agree that making Mark 12:30 and Ephesians 4:31-32 the focus for this summer is a great plan. However, achieving this goal requires time and intentionality. That’s why I’m committed to avoiding busyness over the next three months. I am asking the Holy Spirit to help me say “no” to the good things so that we can concentrate on the best.
Dear Lord, I lay in Your hands the next three months and ask that You guide our time. May the activities that we choose turn our hearts, souls, minds, and strength toward You. And, may it lead us to loving You more and more each day. In Jesus’ name…
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