Making The Most Of Family Time This Summer

Summer is approaching fast, and soon it will be the summer holidays. It can seem like there is an endless time for picnics, family meals, and fun days out, but it isn't like that at all. I feel like I blink and a week has passed. This summer I am determined to make the most of every second. After all children grow up so fast we have to make the most of the time we do have right? Sam works throughout the summer, so I am planning on making the most of our weekends. He also has a whole week off in July, and we are heading off on a mini break. I have put together a few simple tips to help you make the most of your time together as a family, after all there is nothing worse than feeling like you haven't really made the most of your time.

Plan Ahead This might seem really obvious, but it is surprising how many of us don't make a plan in advance for designated family days, or trips out. With the busy lives that many of us lead, there are many reasons that family days can be postponed or cancelled. So if you don't make a plan, or set it in stone. I'm pretty sure that something else will crop up and get in the way of your day. It isn't necessary to plan a whole host of unforgettable experiences, or extravagant days out. Sometimes its the little things that have the most memories, like a picnic. The important thing is your spending time together as a family, and that should always be the focus. Life is so hectic, and a lot of the time social media can get in the way. Maybe unplug for the day, and eat a meal as a family, you can even get the children involved in cooking with you.

I have already planned activities and things I want to do this year, with a bucket list. It is stored in my journal which is something that I look in everyday, so there is little chance of me forgetting something. This year is the first summer where Emily is up and mobile, it makes the list of things we can do so much longer, and I can't wait to make more memories as a family.

Make Space Spending time together at home is one of the most valuable ways of enjoying each others company. By creating a space that everyone is comfortable in, you can set your family up for some truly memorable days together. During the summer it is important to make the most of the outdoor space you might have. Investing in some external bifold doors can be a perfect way to open up your home to the garden, linking both the outdoor and indoor areas together. A garden or patio can be the perfect place for family BBQ's or activities during summer afternoons. With this summer being predicted as the hottest on record, it is a great time to prepare the outdoor space you do have. 

Last year we made the most of the weather, and enjoyed lots of family BBQ's. We even surprised Emily with a paddling poor which provided her with hours of fun. Something we will definitely be investing in again this year. The great thing about paddling pools are you can get small ones to fit on a balcony, we have done this many times as we don't have a garden. The key thing is to make the most of the space you do have, not worry about what you don't have.

Leave work at the door Many of us work during the summer, and while we might have a bit of time off to spend with family, sometimes it is hard to not bring our work home with us. Even when we are not physically working, our minds sometimes wonder off and are running over all of the things we need to do once we return to work. It is so important to make sure you try and shut off from work. Life is too short to be worrying about what is going on at work when you have your family right in front of you. 

It is vital to be present for our family, but also for ourselves. If you have difficulty managing stress or staying in the moment, try carrying around a notebook to jot down what is on your mind, then you can come back to it later. You could also use an app like Headspace, which will help you learn how to relax more and worry less. Headspace is your very own personal trainer to help you train your mind. 

- Collaborative post