A new book by authors Renee Gutteridge and Michelle Cox releases this month with the heart wrenching title, Just 18 Summers. The book description asks,
"With just eighteen summers before their children are grown, how do they make the most of that time when life so often gets in the way?"
Can you relate? We have three weeks left in the school year. How did that happen! Three weeks left of Emily wearing a her little plaid jumper before she graduates to a skirt and shirt next year. Three weeks left before Sarah is called a "middle schooler." Three weeks left before Daisy returns home to China. Summer is coming... fast. When I heard about this new book, just the title clenched my heart. Eighteen summers is not a lot. Seven is even less (that's what we have with Sarah). Some people may joke about counting down till they are free of their kids, but I don't, because you know what ... I really like my kids. I like the people they are, and the life we have under this roof together. I see the time slipping fast compared to what I hope to experience with them and to teach them.
And then there is life... getting in the way... a job.. a speaking ministry... bills... laundry... dishes... the pull that maybe I need to get a second job ... and I get so frustrated... because I don't want to miss my kids' childhood. I can't make the laundry, or the bills go away. I can't make time stop or go back to this summer...
Or to this one ...
I just have this one summer sitting before me, ready to arrive. I know that unless I make some conscience choices, just like this school year, it will be gone in a blink, and I will regret what I wasted. I don't have a perfect plan of how to make memories that matter this summer... I am still going to work ... but I have settled on a few things ...
1. We are turning the TV off from Memorial Day to Labor Day. We have done this in the past, and we don't miss anything.
2. I need to get my cell phone use under control. My kids see way too much of the top of my head while I live under the lie that something world changing is unfolding on Facebook, or that I need to reply to every email within 6 1/2 minutes.
3. I am not signing my kids up for any more camps. They each have two weeks planned, and they don't need anymore. They are as tired as I am, they don't need 8-10 hours of planned activities a day all summer. (and I am going to stop feeling guilty that we cannot send them to $250-a-week camps all summer.)
4. Adventure Days: I have blocked off five Thursdays over the summer as Adventure Days. The girls and I are going to get in the car and go do something. Or maybe we will go out in the yard and do something. I shared this idea with them the other day and asked them what they would want to do. I was thinking beach, canoeing at the lake, going to a museum. They didn't ask for big exciting things - Emily asked if I would go play at the back of our property with her. (Folks we only live on 2 acres! That's a pretty sad statement on how much time I spend out there). Sarah asked if we could take the dog to the park across the street - yep across the street - because in the 16 months of living here we've never gone. I think it is time.
I'd love to hear your ideas. How will you make this summer matter to your family? How will you take the time to make great memories, and grow in your relationships with one another?
Hi Wendy!
ReplyDeleteThis post really hits home and you're wise to concentrate on slowing down and savoring the time. My oldest is 17 and will be a senior in the fall. My middle will turn 16 this summer. And my baby finishes elementary school next week. It goes so fast.
I've always tried to make summer different and fun but the last few summers have been a little sad for me because my kids are older and not as easily excited about my grand ideas! :) Plus, they're old enough to be going off to camp and on church trips or working.
Family vacations have become SUPER important to us. It's a concentrated block of time to be together as a family--especially with kids being scattered about to camps, jobs, etc the rest of the summer. They resist but I make them unplug while we're away. We're still trying to work out our plans for July but my husband and I are INSISTENT that we get away somewhere as a family of five to make some lasting memories!
Do you know that this post has stuck with me all year? I think of it often as life is just flying by so fast. I love that my kids are healthy and reaching new milestones, but I so don't want to miss a thing! This is the longest, but fastest season of our lives and I would like to just slow it down a bit. We'll be heading to the beach for a week of family time away from the distractions of work and housework. It is one of my most treasured weeks of the whole year. Best wishes for a summer full of wonderful memories.
ReplyDeleteI have always loved how intentional you are in creating memories! Thanks for the encouragement
ReplyDeleteWhat a perfectly times reminder for me as we head into another move this summer! There will be lots of change and lots of stress, so I need to make sure I plan my adventure days well and often.
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