Summer Sanity for Moms
I don’t know about you, but my world has gone topsy-turvy in
the last couple weeks. I think summertime can do that for many moms. Schedules
have changed and the days are longer – meaning kids get up earlier and insist
on staying up later because “it isn’t even dark yet.” Add to that, yard work,
overdue spring-cleaning, vacations, day camps, sports, weddings, et cetera, et
cetera. And you have a recipe for pure chaos, overwhelmed kiddos, and one
exhausted mommy. Lucky for you, I have a few tips for preventing the summer
blues and making the most of the season! (And if you’re already wishing for
fall, these tips can help restore your sanity too!)
My prescription for you is simple.
Yes, your mission this summer is to be “simple”…simplify your life. Go back to basics. Forget about the
fad diets, fitness classes, kids camps, here-there-and-everywhere living and
just do things out of pure simplicity and fun! Try this…
1)
Eat raw!
Forget about cooking and eat the food straight out of your garden or local
farmer’s market. I promise if you do this, you can eat AS MUCH as you can
possibly fit into your mouth in 24 hours and you will not have to worry about
diet plans, ingredients, or calories!
2)
Play with
your kids. Rather then sending them out to play, take your own advice and
join them! Ride bikes, jump rope, color with chalk, dig in the sandbox, play
hide-and-go-seek in the woods. I promise, at the end of the day, they’ll be
begging to go to sleep, it won’t have cost you a dime, and you will likely be
happier than you’ve been in ages! (This is fitness, spirituality, connection,
joy, and Vitamin D all rolled into one beautiful gift to yourself and your kids!)
3)
Forget
the expensive beach vacations with big tabs, shopping and packing hassles,
and body shaming. Instead, try camping. Unplug, nap in the hammock, roast
marshmallows, read a book, dig in the dirt, lay in the grass. No need to bring
a mirror, clean clothes, or your phone. How much simpler does it get?
4)
And about
those chores. Are they really necessary? If so quit procrastinating and get
them done. If not, let it go-o-o-o-o. Or make them fun (we have a weeding
competition at my house a few times a summer – whoever fills up the most bags,
wins a prize and we all celebrate with a fun outing).
Whatever your summer has in store for you this year, find a
way to make the most of it in ways that really matter. Let your neighbor’s keep
up with the Joneses this summer while you try the road less traveled. See who
has the better summer. You can always run the rat race next summer.
