The Summer Rhythm

This past Friday was the end of the school year for my boys and though they weren’t amused with me jamming out to “Schools out for Summer,” (Alice Cooper) and Keeli singing “Summer Summer Summertime” (Will Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeff), they are definitely pumped for a break.?

In my corporate role the past 8 years, summer was our busiest time of the year and though I would give my boys some special time at night, I didn’t have much of a plan other than one summer trip.? Looking back, this could and should have been different, but I didn’t allow it to be so. ?And Keeli didn’t challenge me too hard as this was just the way it was.

Thinking back on this missed time, I know I could have planned better and even incorporated a better schedule to get home earlier.? Even just last night Keaton said, “Oh dad, I just realized that you are going to be home a lot more this summer and that makes me really happy.”? That’s pretty stout coming from a 13-year-old and definitely softened my heart.

So today I have a two-fold challenge for you:

1.??????? How can you adjust your work schedule this summer to give more quality time to your kids?

2.??????? What plan do you have in place to make memories with them?

Your work schedule

Is your role considered a traditional 8 to 5?? Are there any adjustments you can make for the summer months?? Can you show up at 6:30 am and leave at 3:30 pm. ?The same if you work remote?? Maybe even an earlier start.? Can you adjust so you are done by 3:30 pm and can physically shut it off?? Even if just a couple days/week.? Be a renegade.? Talk to your boss.? It’s for your family!

What can you delegate or what can you remove that is taking up too much time.? My challenge is for you to figure this out.? For example, turn your email reminders off and only do it at certain times (i.e. 9am/1pm/3pm).? Set a new standard and stop being everything to everyone and being a glorified firefighter.? Come in with a plan, execute it, and get the heck out of there.?

Summer Routine

We are having a family meeting tonight to talk about our summer plans.? We are going to chat about the routine and set some expectations with (not for) our kids.? We want to have an amazing summer, with a rhythm that is flexible, but also set expectations together so we don’t get out of whack or hurt feelings.?

We want our kids to have all the summer fun they can, but we also want them to do meaningful tasks and stay sharp.? Here are some thoughts of what we are discussing:

-??????????? Fitness Challenge – The boys want me to help them exercise so we took before pics today and also measurements so that we can look at pics in a few months and hopefully see transformation.? There are so many other lessons in this, but no doubt it’s increased accountability for me.

-??????????? Continual Learning – Does your kid’s school have a learning program online that they can do over the summer to stay sharp or improve where needed?? Maybe pay your kids per/book they read.? Or do a learning challenge.? There are tons of resources online both free and paid.?

-??????????? Screen Time – What limits are you setting on when they are on their devices.? I recommend no more than 30 minutes 2 times per/day.

-??????????? Serving – Where can you serve together as a family?? Our church has a food pantry that needs help stocking shelves and helping patrons load and unload their groceries.? There are so many opportunities and what a great lesson in servitude for your kids (amongst others). ?Look for opportunities in your neighborhood to help the elderly.?

-??????????? Spiritual Journey – Are you guiding your kids along in their spiritual journey?? Can you set up 15 min/day bible study for them??

-??????????? Hospitality – Open your home up once/week to have another family over?? Incorporate the kids in the cooking, cleaning, baking, and even who to invite.? Challenge each other to pick a new family. ?Play games together.? We did Ungame for Teens tonight with another family and it was a huge hit and actually opened up some deeper convos than normal.

-??????????? Generosity – Who can your family pray about to support.? Give each kid $50 and have them pray over who they should bless with this money.? Then come back at the end of the week and talk about how they felt and how the person received it.? Do this once/month.

-??????????? Summer Road Trip – Decide as a family to go somewhere on a road trip.?

I truly hope you take some time to review and incorporate some of these with your kids.? If you don’t do it quickly, the summer will fly by in a blink, and you’ll be back to the beginning of the school year.?

My biggest challenge though, is to just enjoy your kids. ?Have some late nights.? Go get snow cones.? Watch movies, do some late-night swimming, play some board games and JUST BE TOGETHER! ?That’s all they really want.?

You only get 18 summers!? Make the most of this time!

Shoot me a note to kevin@dadvoted.com if you have any other tips or resources.

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Kevin Goodnight

Author/Speaker/Developer of Dads

www.dadvoted.com

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How can you support my mission to develop devoted dads?

1.??????? Grab the book Dadvoted: Dads Devoted to Discovering their Duty, Direction and Destiny on Amazon (give it a review on Amazon)

2.??????? Grab a group of guys and download my 7-week Study guide and start a group (www.dadvoted.com).

3.??????? Connect with me if you want to go through my Refined Father Roadmap – 12 week 1:1 Development Select a Date & Time - Calendly

4.??????? Invite me to speak at your men’s group or business

5.??????? Connect me with other folks on mission for the family