We’ve slipped into the first week of June and school’s officially out for summer. Sleepovers, lazy mornings, lemonade stands and a summer tan are all that matter now. For a moment, I ride the wave of excitement in anticipation of living a carefree lifestyle through August, then reality sets in.
I’m quickly reminded that conceptually, the freedom of summer was a gift of youth. Until we round the next corner of life known as retirement, we get to engage in the hustle and bustle of adulting, 365 days a year. Though I hear life in retirement can be just as busy – is this true?
Perhaps it’s a backlash of jealousy, but I find myself with pen and paper in hand, creating an exceptionally long list of chores for my kids to complete by the end of the day. Pause. Who am I kidding, they’re not going to clean the chimney. They barely get their cereal bowls in the dishwasher.
It’s time to reel in my expectations without abandoning all effort. You see, maintaining a routine is good for kids during summer break. Not just for kids, but also for retired adults who have earned their way into a perpetual summer break.
The consistency of routines, including sleep and wake cycles, meal times, physical activity, socialization and, ironically, activities that challenge the mind like working and learning, contribute to our well-being. People who establish and follow a routine are less likely to experience anxiety and depression and have a greater tolerance for uncertainty.
For youths, routines enhance a sense of security, safety and comfort. Parents, what this potentially means for you – less behavioral issues in your child(ren).
Conversely, for those of us still bound by the demands of work and life’s responsibilities, we need to plan days (or at least hours) to be carefree.
Summer seems plentiful now, but in the blink of an eye, we’ll be commenting about how the leaves are changing and wondering where summer went.
If not now, it may be never. So this weekend, carve out an hour or two to discuss and establish a daily routine with your kids. Adults, block off time for play.
I’ll emphasize the word discussion. If you want your kids on board with a routine, give them a voice at the table. Consider these talking points.
- What time will you wake up and go to bed (most of the time)?
- When will you eat meals? Bonus question: What makes up a nutritionally balanced meal?
- What will you do to be active, and when?
- What are the parameters for screen time?
- What are your kid(s) curious about? How can you turn this into a learning adventure?
- When will your kids have play dates/social time?
- What daily/weekly responsibilities will your kid(s) have this summer?
Now for the fun part. Look at your calendar and find the weekends, or evenings that don’t already have something scheduled. Fill in as many of the blank spaces as you’d like with carefree time. Perhaps it’s a weekend camping, an evening of music with friends at the park, a quiet morning with a good book or a sightseeing drive.
You wrote or typed in your carefree time, right? If it’s a plan that only resides in your head – consider it a goner.
Besides, it’s empowering to see the words “hold for fun” on your calendar. For whatever reason, it gives us permission to find balance in life. Consider it routine health maintenance.
On that note, my all-knowing calendar found 15 minutes of white space, just enough time for a stroll along the river.
Nicole Clark is director of La Plata County Extension Office. Reach her at nicole.clark@colostate.edu or 382-6461.
