Bring on summer!
I like to begin each summer by all sitting down together and making SUMMER BUCKET LISTS.
My desire to do this is two-fold.
First off, I work well with lists. I love making little boxes next to each item and checking them off as we complete each item.
Secondly, my ideas list was starting to run dry, and I wanted to see which items were truly important to my children. It is impossible for me to know each of their heart’s desires. This summer bucket list serves as my “cheat sheet” for making their dreams become reality as much as I can.
The season of possibilities.
Summer, to me, is a magical time. A season full of sunshine and laughter.
I decided to make each summer as special as possible for not only my children, but any children that were in our lives for any given summer.
The easiest way for me to do this was by having each child make a summer bucket list.
There is really no wrong or right way to make these lists, and we have made them differently each summer.
On ours, I always tell the children to include places they want to go, projects they want to make, activities they would like to do, and goals they would like to work to reach.
Join in the fun!
Making summer bucket lists is one of the activities that I really enjoy doing right alongside my children. It is a time for me to re-evaluate my priorities and set goals for myself. As a parent, it’s very easy for me to focus solely on my children, and put my own thoughts, goals, and desires on the backburner.
My summer bucket list helps to hold me accountable to myself.
I’ve already told my family that we will be sitting down to make them this week, so to start thinking about what they’d like to include on theirs.
As I’m pondering what I will include on my list, I’m reminiscing on the enjoyable activities of previous summers, while also anticipating this upcoming summer.
On my list so far:
- Make s’mores over a bonfire
- Read at least 3 novels by 3 different authors
- Work on my writing at least 3 times a week
- Swim in Lake Michigan
- Attend at least 1 outdoor music concert
- Catch fireflies with my children
- Create at least 3 home decor items for my home
- Watch fireworks
- Attend a parade
- Go to at least 1 new festival
- Work on my scrapbook
- Take time to work on some photography projects that I have in mind
- Explore 1 new state park
While I’m sure my list will be tweaked, just sitting down and daydreaming about the upcoming summer fills me with wonder and anticipation.
My life may be chaotic and filled with stress right now, but by anticipating a summer filled with excitement and novel new experiences, I am able to re-focus and find my inner calm for the time being.
I challenge you to sit down and ponder what you would add to your summer bucket list. I also challenge you to introduce the concept to your children, no matter their ages. It’s a wonderful experience as a parent, to know what your child dreams about doing over the summer, and to find ways to make some of these dreams come true for them.
Remember, we only have so many summers to spend carefree with our children!
Summer is a perfect season for some field trips! Check out this blog post all about field trips:
https://learningisawayoflife.com/seat-belts-everyone-were-going-on-a-field-trip/
So, what are some of the items you would place on your bucket list?
I really love this idea. I’m just working on my bucket list, but selfishly didn’t think about the kids wants and desires.
This is top of my list this weekend.
Thank you, I’m pinning for reference x x
This is a fantastic idea! My son is too young right now to make a list but I can definitely make one.