A summer vacation rhythm
06 April, 2020
Like most people, I can't wait for school to let out and for summer to arrive! Getting back, for a few weeks, to a gentler, more flexible rhythm will do my little ones and me a world of good.
In this article, I'm sharing the essentials of our family's summer rhythm and a few simple, gentle sources of inspiration that may make you want to try it too!
The summer rhythm is very different from the rhythm of the other seasons, quite simply because in summer we have fewer obligations. We're generally more flexible. There's no school, no homework, no studying, and so on. Our family evenings are (generally speaking!) gentler. There may of course be lessons and practices for some of the kids' sports, but we're definitely often less rushed.
Creating a rhythm of our own
It's important to know that every family has its own rhythm. There's no set procedure or single way of doing things, and it's important to adapt it to the needs and reality of your tribe: your work schedule, the number of kids, their ages, where you live, and so on. Here are a few suggestions for projects and activities to inspire you and help shape your own summer rhythm:
Outdoors:
- Go hiking with My Nature Journal
- Go for walks with the Nature Treasure Hunt
- Make a herbarium (a collection of pressed plants)
- Have more picnics (not in the backyard!)
- Go on bike outings
- Go picking strawberries, blueberries, apples
- Go to the market
Crafts:
- Make dream catchers
- Make play dough (I already make it, but this time with the kids!)
- Make a family tree with photos
- Make a puppet theater
- Make a shadow puppet theater
Other ideas:
- Do a photo scavenger hunt
- Read with the Reading Is My Superpower Notebook
- Lend and borrow books/games with cousins and friends
Finally, summer is the perfect time to try things we don't always take the time to do during the year, to make room for lightness, simplicity and spontaneity.
Take the time to think about your summer rhythm and what you'd like to include in it, then go for it and let the rhythm of summer guide you!
Have a wonderful summer!
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