Summer Balancing Act

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For those parents who are home during the summer months, it can be a tough decision of how much “to do”. Some moms believe that summer days should be spent with no agenda and allowing kids to have free play all day, every day. Others are in the opposite field and have camps, activities, and outings planned for every hour of the day. I happen to fall somewhere in the middle. It’s what works best for our family of 5; with three kids in a 3-year spread. Having kids so close together can be really awesome because their interests for age appropriate games and activities is similar. At this stage the oldest, age 8, isn’t too cool (yet) to not want to be with her mom and still plays with the younger ones in a pretty elaborate game of ‘family’, ‘school’, or hide n’ seek that evolves into knights and ninjas. The youngest, at 5, is finally old enough to hang without a mid-day nap (she hasn’t been napping for years, but we’ve all been suffering from the missed sleep). I also believe that with the close spread they do require some organized activity and outings and time for them to explore their new, independent interests, not to mention it helps keep Mama’s sanity.

The Summer Balancing Act

I love having some structure each day. Summer swim team, at the pool in our neighborhood, will begin right after Memorial Day and finish up mid-July. These daily practices give such a wonderful opportunity to strengthen skills in the water and build friendships. All three of my kids love the water and can swim… this will be the first year for my 5 & 6-year-old as they took lessons summers prior. The weekly Monday evening meets are more of a fun social event than a competition. I will say last year was a bit of an adjustment to embrace that when I’ve been used to a bit more seriously run meets.  Late morning practices are nice, so we can still lounge after waking. We will plan afternoon or morning outings around these and on occasion skip practice for day trips or camps.

They have each chosen one-week long day camp to attend. Our oldest daughter, who has completed second grade has two, the first being a week long swim camp at Ohio State, that she is ecstatic about attending. I suppose it makes sense—swimming with one of her best swim friends in a beautiful pool and playing games all day, but one would think daily swim practice and year round swim team is enough! She will later attend a week long camp at Highbanks Metro Park. She has always had a strong interest in animals and being outside, so this fits perfectly.

Our 6-year-old son, who finished kindergarten this year, is super excited for Lego camp. Bricks 4 Kidz offers a half day camp that will feature amusement park building. The kid loves Legos and it’s a great way to get in some fine motor strengthening during the off-school weeks.

Our youngest daughter, who will be entering kindergarten this fall, is participating in a sports camp at the Worthington rec center. She really enjoyed the fall and spring class offerings, so I thought this would be a fun week so she can feel like one of the big kids, even if her day camp is much shorter than a full day. They each go a different week, so this will give me some 1:2 time, which is heavenly. For some reason with three kids, when you take away one, the dynamics change and it is typically a positive experience for that time. It doesn’t take long for the two to miss the third and then it will be time to reunite!

I’m most excited about a summer of no alarms (guaranteed to still have all three up by 6:30), hours of play in pj’s, and pancake breakfasts. Lots of Legos, forts, hide n’ seek, gymnastics and dance routines, band performances, and board games will occur before 10:30. Our kids will have plenty of time to collaborate, chase, pretend, read, problem solve, and just when the bickering sets in it will be time to throw on our suits and hit the pool. After practice, we have the option of choosing a bucket list item, staying at the pool, or coming home to rest or play. I simply love the balance of freedom and small activity commitments that provide such great growth opportunities for all of us!

We have a family beach vacation in late July and the kids will be spending a few days with Grandpa  & Grandma while Hubby and I have a getaway. We will be officially planning our summer bucket list soon but have already identified some must-haves: Library Summer Reading Club and weekly trips to the library, ice cream and park play, a zoo trip, day trip to Yellow Springs, a hike in Hocking Hills, and possibly a short road trip up north. Beyond that our days will be filled with sunscreen and hats, chlorine green hair, grass stains, and ice cream mustaches.

Happy Balancing Act of Summer ’16!

summer play

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Liz Renneker
Liz Renneker is an active mom to three and wife to one. After hiking, camping, skiing, and growing a family in Colorado for the past ten years her family has relocated back to their roots in the Buckeye State. A nurse by trade and with over 11 years of pediatric oncology experience she has found a second passion in helping other busy moms get fit. As a virtual healthy lifestyle coach- www.lizrenneker.com and www.facebook.com/busymomsgetfit- she specializes in creating positivity, self-love, health and balance in the busy mom life. The right fitness program, nutrition plan, and support go a long way to obtain that balance and achievement. During the school year you can find Liz volunteering at the elementary school, exploring museums and parks with her youngest, transporting and cheering for the three at swim meets, soccer and basketball games, rock climbing lessons, piano and theatrical performances. She has been known to sneak in a triathlon here and there in addition to her early morning workout sessions. School breaks and summer are her favorite times of the year when she can explore and adventure with all three children and her hubby!