Connecting With Our Kids this Summer

May 27, 2012 By

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The school year is ending for so many at this time of the year.  Most traditional schools are over or about to be and many homeschoolers take a full summer break.

This can be a wonderful time to connect with your kids. It is a great time to have great conversations, read books together, and to take time to be intentional with your kids.

I love to write a list of fun activities we can do together that deepen our relationship.  I thought it would be fun to share some ideas for your list and I would love for you to share some of yours in the comments.

*Family Vacations or weekend trips

*Staycations (find some great places around town to go to)

*If you have older children working a challenging puzzle together (don’t be in a hurry, sit down for 15 minutes a day until it is complete and just enjoy conversation with your kids).  Frame it to celebrate your hard work and put it on the wall.

*Find some great summer read alouds.

*Play in the rain together.

*Go swimming.

*Cook together.

*Plant a garden, even if it is a small one.

*Have a summer tea party.

*Take walks and enjoy your local parks.

*Have a long picnic together

*Enjoy nature!  Summer can be such a wonderful time to teach your children all about God’s creation!

Whatever you do, be intentional with them. Don’t let the summer pass by without you having great conversation, laughter and fun!  Truly, in a blink of an eye they will be gone.  We often take for granted the little time we do have with our children before they are grown.  My oldest is 13 years old and I now believe my elders when they say, “they will grow up so fast” I really can’t believe that little boy I brought home from the hospital is 13.  Don’t waste the precious time!

If you want to win your children’s hearts, they need quality time with YOU!

What are some of your ideas for summer fun???

This post was shared at: Welcome Home Monday, Soli Deo Gloria, Titus 2sdays, Titus 2 Tuesday Link-Up, Domestically Divine, On Your Heart Tuesdays, Living Well Wednesdays, Welcome Wednesday, Works for Me Wednesday, Homemaking Link-Up, Creative at Home Wednesdays

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5 Comments | Filed Under: Parenting
About Angela Richter

Angela is a wife and work at home homeschooling mom to three children. She is a speaker and a blogger who has a real heart for encouraging moms in homeschooling, parenting, and connecting with their children. You can find Angela at Mom with Heart or on Twitter.

  • http://thechuppies.blogspot.com/ Kara @ The Chuppies

    I’m smiling big :)
    We always end up SO on the the same page…
    You know I LOVE this post!

    As for us…
    I love around-here-summer-down-time-activities…

    So we may do a local park tour, lots of neighborhood playing, sidewalk chalk four square, swimming, saturday market, library activities, a few books-to-read for each person, our weekly Subway and Little House on the Prairie Nights, keeping up with the garden, playing in the local fountains, fun at the coast, camping trip, nerf-gun capture the flag… I’m getting excited!!! :)

    I LOVE the staycation idea…always have wanted to do that. Maybe this year we’ll actually plan for it :)

  • lindawriteson.com

    What a great list of one-on-one activities to share!

    As a mother of two little girls, I find there are many activities that compete for our time, attention and wallets. In a culture where kids are busier than adults with classes and clubs (and many of them are great, don’t get me wrong), I find the most treasured way of connecting with my children doesn’t involve a schedule, sign-up nor strategy, but my lap. Often you will find the sofa, bed or sitting Indian style on the carpet works great too.

    Reading and re-reading stories, laughing, discussing, remembering and creating closeness over the shared experience of establishing a love for the written word has been a meaningful way to connect and be close. So after the swim or the planting of flowers, cuddle up with a good book and your beautiful child!

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/Angela-Richter/1632533801 Angela Richter

      I totally agree! The free activities that involve great conversation, great reading time, and family fun are my favorites. We don’t do many outside activities, it is a counter cultural way to live for sure but my husband and I feel it is best for our family and the best way to connect with our kids. So far, no regrets! Thanks for sharing, loved your thoughts!

  • Ann Cummings

    Great ideas! Swimming is another fun summer activity – from beach and park pools to simple toddler wading
    Pools – you can even have your tea party in the pool with a cute water play toy tea set. Very fun and a great way to cool down.

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/Angela-Richter/1632533801 Angela Richter

      We love swimming here. We were given an above ground pool last year and it has brought us so much joy! Thanks for the great ideas!