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Health & Fitness

Summer: Survive or Thrive?

SUMMER! If you're a parent, that single word evokes all sorts of emotions. Is it possible to really do more than just survive the summer?

Well, it’s finally here. After a very long winter and a nearly sunless Spring, Summer has officially come to Kent.

How do I know this? Maybe because the started back up a few weeks ago? Or because the line at is way shorter and the streets much quieter? Or because I finally painted my toenails? Well, those things are all true.

But the way I really I know it is summer is because my kids are home again! All day, every day. (That, and my freezer is full of flavored sugar water - ooops, I mean Flavor Ice - again.)

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For most moms, having the kids home for summer surfaces all kinds of different emotions. Relief that we don’t have to pack another lunch until August! Delight that we get to be with our little people more often. Excitement and anticipation for all the “summer things” that we do as a family: slower mornings, bonfires at dusk, days at the lake, letterboxing adventures,
cousin sleepovers, walks to , grilling out with friends, and the list goes on. Your list might be different than mine but I’m sure you have one… and I’m guessing it involves some combination of sunshine, being outside, and time together.

But, let’s be honest. Summer also feels a little overwhelming. It’s a blank slate. Twelve weeks of freedom. How will we seize those 12 weeks? How will we find that right mix of structured planning and laidback playing? Finding that balance will probably take some intentional
thought from Mom. It certainly won’t just “happen.”

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I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to just survive the summer. I want us to thrive this summer.  It’s the only one I’ve got when my kids will be 12 and 9. The last summer before the man-child enters middle school. I want to seize every moment with them. Even the unplanned ones where all four of us dance around the living room, laughing until we can’t stand up.

But, how? How to make sure the summer doesn’t just slip by in the blink of an eye? That’s the question I’ll be pondering this week. Won’t you join me? Could we map out summer together? Because I'm betting you have some good thoughts too.

Next: Having a Plan!

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