Here comes summer...?!?!

Summer will be here in another month.  How do you feel about that?  It promotes a myriad of emtoions, I am discovering, as I talk to people.

Kids can't wait.  No more school.  No more homework (unless summer school is on the agenda).  The anticipation of sleeping in (if they're teens).  The excitement of a family vacation.

Parents can wait.  Children at home 24/7.  Issues about financing a family vacation.  If both parents work, thinking about child care or supervision while they're working.  New challenges.

This make for an interesting family dynamic--kids glad, parents sad--or, at the very least, looking for creative answers for the summer agenda. 

Summer can be a time of family reconnecting, but it will require intentional effort on everyone's part. Here's an opportunity to vacate the usual regimen of running around feverishly for school and after-school   activities--not drudgery but sometimes demanding--and scultpturing a plan for summer that allows everyone to take "time off" together and to maximize the opportunities of a reducded schedule (even if yours as parents is largely the same).

Here are some key words to think about...creatively, or, outside the box as you prepare for summer.

C-amp.  It's relatively inexpensive and a great opportunity for kids to be outside away from their IPhones and video games.  Tents and sleeping bags, fishing rods and family table games are basic components,
R-elatives.  It's fun to hook up with extended family. 
E-xchange.  Trade with another trustworthy famiily.  Take their kids for a weekend (I know, this is frightening) in exchange for taking yours (a romantic weekend awaits you).
A-sk.  Take the risk.  inquire about what the kids want to do.  Iit may surprise you that they are more content you expected to kick back and enjoy being home.  (Good luck with that one)
T-ask.  It's all right to assign responsibilities to your kids as a teaching and training opportunity.  Linking it to reward may be subtle "bribery" but it can produce desired results and promote character in the process.
I-nnovate.  Try something you've never done before.  Sleep overnight in the backyard.  Attend a flea market on Saturday morning. Get ice cream on the spur of the moment.  Spend the a day volunteering as a family for a needy cause.
V-BS.  Your local church will probably have a week-long summer program that will provide good principled teaching, fun and games...and you can either volunteer to help, or take a much-needed summer break.
E-scape.  All right.  Set aside at least one weekend where you ante up the dollars and get away by yourselves.  You'll need it!